
Book -P 



GopyrightN?. 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 



THE YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S 



BOOK OF REFERENCE, 



GIVING COURSES AND DISTANCES, WITH THE RELATIVE BEARINGS 

OF THE LIGHT HOUSES AND LIGHT SHIPS, FROM CAPE 

HATTERAS TO ST. JOHN'S, N. B., WITH RELIABLE 

SAILING DIRECTIONS FOR SEVENTY-FIVE 

HARBORS AND PORTS. 



AS COMPILED FROM THE LATEST U. S. COAST SURVEYS. 



BY 



WM. A. PRATT, 
// 




' No..' 






HARTFORD, CONN.: 

Printed by the Case, Lockwood & Brainard Company. 

1878. 






Copyrighted. 
WM. A. PRATT. 

1878. 



INTRODUCTION. 



The author of this work, in an experience of nearly thirty 
years coasting and yachting, has often, in common with every 
other coast sailing master, felt the need of some suitable 
reference-book which would correctly answer the multitude 
of questions that are constantly arising with reference to 
courses, distances, bearings, etc., on the part of yachtmen 
and amateur sailors. The work is the result of the most 
careful and thorough research and study of the latest and 
best United States coast surveys, confirmed in nearly every 
important feature from his own personal experience and 
observation. He has aimed at correctness and simplicity, 
rather than finish and polish, hence has no apology to offer 
for any want of literary merit which the critical may readily 
discover. 

I expect this book to be appreciated by my fellow-crafts- 
men the yachtmen and coasters, for the convenient form in 
which this information is packed, giving, as it does, the dis- 
tances in all cases, with the courses and bearings from one 
point to another. It will be found a very desirable com- 
panion at night, when it is almost impossible to get a light 
to bear on a chart. 

All men of experience know how hastily and imperfectly 
these things are taken off at night, even when it is possible 
to do it at all ; and there are times when wet with fog or 
rain, that to handle a chart with any degree of correctness 
is almost impossible ; thus having these matters principally 
in my mind when compiling these Descriptions, Directions, 
Courses, and Bearings, I have tried to talk with those whom 
I would direct, in a manner so plain as not to be misunder- 

(3) 



4 INTRODUCTION. 

stood. The book is worth all that it will cost as an educator 
of the eye in judging distances. This is a faculty that every 
captain should cultivate, and as I here give distances with 
the courses and bearings, by making it a subject of compari- 
son with your own judgment, a person can become very 
accurate in their estimation of distances. 

Hoping, therefore, that this book will meet the approval 
of those for whom it is designed, I now commit it into the 
hands of the toilers and pleasure-hunters of the deep. 

WM. A. PRATT. 

All Courses and Bearings given are Magnetic ; the Dis- 
tances are given in Nautical Miles. 

A Nautical Mile is 6,082 feet. 
A Statute Mile is 5,280 feet. 



DESIGNATIONS ON CHARTS AND BUOY LISTS. 

R. , red buoys, Nos. 2, 4, 6, etc. , starboard. 

B., black buoys, Nos. 1, 3, 5, etc., port. 

P. 8. , white and black perpendicular stripes, without numbers, in mid- 
channel. 

H. S., red and black horizontal stripes (on obstructions), without 
numbers. 



INDEX. 



The Index to this Book is embraced in the alphabetical arrange- 
ment of the Lighthouses and Light Ships that are mentioned in 
writing out these Directions and Bearings. As it is often necessary 
to refer to one light several times when writing out these Direc- 
tions, this Index will serve a four-fold purpose, viz. : Character of 
Light shown, its Order of Lens, Height above the Sea, and the 
Fog Signal in use. 

REFERENCES. 

F. W., - - - - Fixed white. 

F. R., - - - - Fixed red. 

Fig. W., - Flashing white. 

Fig. R., - - - - Flashing red. 

Fig. R. & W. , - - - Flashing red and white. 

F. V. W. F., - - - Fixed white, varied by white flashes. 

F. Y. R. F. , - - - Fixed white, varied by red flashes. 

F. Y. R. & W. F., - - Fixed white, varied by red and white flashes. 

F. R. Y. R. F., - - Fixed red, varied by red flashes. 

[1 0], - - - - First-order lens apparatus. 

[2 ©], - - - - Second-order lens apparatus. 

[3 ©], - - - - Third-order lens apparatus. 

[4 0], - - - - Fourth-order lens apparatus. 

[5 0], - - - - Fifth-order lens apparatus. 

[6 o], - - - - Sixth-order lens apparatus. 



Page. 
Avery's Rock, Me., [5 O], F. R., 68 feet. Bell, - 

Absecom, N. J., [1 O], F. W., 167 feet, - - - 85, 86 

Assateague, Va., [1 G], F. W., 150 feet, - - - 89, 90 

Baker's Island, Me., [4 O], F. V. W. F., 105 feet, - - 70, 72 

Bear Island, Me., [5 O], F. W., 97 feet, - 71 

Bass Harbor Head, Me., [5 ©], F. R., 56 feet, - - 72 

Burnt Coat Harbor, Me., 2 lights, [4 0], F. W., 42 and 

75 feet, - - 70 

Brown's Head, Me., [5 o], F. W., 39 feet, - - - 68, 70 

00 



VI 



INDEX. 



Burnt Island, Me., [4 O], F. W., 61 feet, 

Boon Island, Me., [2 O], F. "W., 133 feet, 

Baker's Island, Mass., 2 lights, [4 O], F. W., 64 and 87 

feet. Bell, 

Boston Light, Mass., [2 O], Fig. W., Ill feet. A first- 
class Daboll's Air Trumpet, giving blasts of 7 seconds, 
at intervals of 43 seconds, ------ 

Billingsgate Island, Mass., [4 0] ; F. W., 52 feet, - 
Brant Point, Nantucket, [4 G], F. W., 46 feet, 
Bass Biver, Mass., [5 O], F. W., 40 feet, 
Bishop and Clerk's, Mass., [4 G], Fig. W., 59 feet. Bell, - 
Bird Island, Mass., [5 O], F. Y. W. F., 30 feet, - 
Brenton's Reef Light Ship, R. I., 2 lights, F. W. Bell and 
Horn, ---------- 

Beaver-Tail, R. I, [3 O], F. W., 68 feet. A first-class 
Daboll Trumpet, giving blasts of 6 seconds each, at 
intervals of 20 seconds, ----- 

Bristol Ferry, R. L, [6 G], F. "W., 35 feet, - 
Bullock's Point, R. I., [6 O], F. R., 50 feet, - 
Block Island— North Point, [4 G], F. W., 67 feet, - 
Block Island— Southeast Point, [1 G], F. W., 204 feet 
A first- order steam Fog-Syren, giving blasts of 6 sec 
onds, at intervals of 20 seconds, - 
Bartletfs Reef Light Ship, 2 lights, F. W., 28 feet. Bell 
and Horn, ........ 

Bridgeport, Conn., [4 O], F. R., 56 feet. Bell, 
Black Rock, Conn., [5 ©], F. W., 43 feet, 
Brother (North), N. Y., [6 O], F. W., 50 ft., - 
Blackwell's Island, N. Y., [4 O], F. R., 54 feet, - 
Bergen Point, N. 'J., [6 O], F. W., 48 feet. Bell, - 
Barnegat, N. J., [1 O], Fig. W., 165 feet, 
Brandywine Shoal, Del. Bay, [3 G], F. W., 46 feet. Bell 
Bombay Hook, Del, [4 Q], F. W., 46 feet, - 
Back River, Va., [4 G], F. Y. W. F., 36 feet, 
Blackiston Island, Md., [4 G], F. W., 46 feet, 
Body Island, N. C, [1 G], F. W., 156 feet, - 
Cape Elizabeth, Me., 2 lights, [2 G], one F. W., the other 
Fig. W., 143 feet. A second-class Syren, giving 2 
blasts of 5 seconds each, with an interval of 8 seconds 
between them, and then a pause of 42 seconds every 
minute, - - 



Page. 

58 
50, 53 



48 



44, 46 

43 
39 

37 
34 

26, 32 



26, 27 
28 
30 

24, 25 



25, 32 



19, 20 

15, 16 

15 

13 

13 



85 



96 

98 



52, 54 



INDEX. 



Vll 



Cape Ann, Mass., [1 O], 2 lights, F. W., 165 feet. A 
steam whistle, giving each minute a blast of 8 seconds 
and one of 4 seconds, with alternate intervals of 4 and 

44 seconds, 

Cape Cod, or Highland, Mass., [1 G], F. W., 195 feet. A 
first-class Daboll Trumpet, giving blasts of 8 seconds, 
at intervals of 30 seconds, ------ 

Chatham, Mass., 2 lights, [4 G], F. W., 70 feet, - 
Cross Rip Light Ship, F. ~W., 39 feet Bell and Horn, 
Cap Poge, Mass., [4 O], F. W., 57 feet, - 
Cuttyhunk, Mass., [5 0], F. W., 42 feet, 
Clark's Point, Mass., [5 ©], F. W., 68 feet, - 
Conimicut, R. I., [4 O], F. W., 50 feet. Bell, 
Cedar Island, L. I., [6 O], F. W., 45 feet, 
Cornfield Point Light Ship, F. R. Bell and Horn, 
Captain's Island, N. Y., [4 G], F. W., 74 feet, 
Conover, and Chapel Hill Range Lights, N. J., [2 and 

3 0], F. W., 60 and 224 feet, - - 
Cape May, N. J., [1 0], Fig. W., 152 feet, - 
Cape Henlopen, Del., [1 O], F. W., 128 feet, - 
Cape Henlopen Point, [4 O], F. W., 45 feet. A first-class 
Syren, giving a blast of 6 seconds' duration, at intervals 
of 39 seconds, ------- 

Cross Ledge, Del. Bay, [4 ©], Fig. W., 38 feet. Bell, 
Cohansey, [5 ©], F. W., 46 feet, .... 

Christiana, at Wilmington, Del., [4 O], F. W., 48 feet, 
Cape Charles, Va., [1 ©], Fig. W., 160 feet, - 
Cape Henry, Va., [2 O], F. W., 129 feet, 
Craney Island, Va., [4 O], F. W., 45 feet. Bell, - 
Chincoteague, Va., [1 0], F. W., 150 feet, 
Cherrystone, Va., [4 ©], F. W., 36 feet. Bell, 
Cove Point, Md., [4 0], F. V. W. F., 46 feet. Bell, 
Craighill Channel, 2 range lights, [2 and 5 O], F. W., 40 

and 150 feet. Bell on front light, 
Cape Hatteras, N. C, [1 ©], Fig. W., 191 feet, 
Cape Romain, S. C, [1 o], Fig. W., 154 feet, - 
Charleston, S. C, [1 O], F. W., 158 feet, 
Dice's Head, Me., [4 O], F. W., 130 feet, 
Duxbury Pier, Mass., [5 O], F. W., 40 feet, - 
Derby's Wharf, Mass., [6 ©], F. R., 22 feet, - 



Page. 



47, 49 



42, 


47 


40, 


42 


37, 


40 


37, 


40 


34, 


36 


35, 


36 




30 




22 


18, 


19 




14 




78 


86, 


87 


87, 


90 




87 




88 




88 




88 




91 


91, 


92 




92 


89, 


90 



93 

93, 94 
98 



65 

43 
48 



Vlll 



INDEX. 



Page. 
Dumpling Rock, Buzzard's Bay, Mass., [5 0], F. W., 42 

feet. Bell, - - - 34, 35 

Dutch Island, R. I., [4 O], F. W., 56 feet. Bell, - - 26 

Dumpling Island, Fisher's Island Sound, [6 ©], F. R., 65 

feet. Bell, 22 

Devil's Wharf — i. e. Capt. Joe's — Conn. River, [6 O], F. 

W., 15 feet, 

Delaware Breakwater, Del, [4 O], F.Y. W. F., 47 feet. Bell, 87 

Deep "Water Point, 2 range lights on Delaware River, N. J. 

side, F. W., 25 and 98 feet, - - - - - 88, 89 

Egg Rock, Me., [5 O], F. R., 76 feet. Bell, - 

Eastern Point, Mass., [4 O], F. W., 60 feet. Bell, - - 47, 49 

Egg Rock, Mass., [5 o], F. R., 87 feet, .... 46 

Edgartown, Mass., [4 o], F. W., 37 feet, ... 38 

East Chop, Mass., [4 ©], F. R., 79 feet, ... 37 

Eel Grass Shoal Light Ship, Fisher's Island Sound, F. W., 

32 feet. Bell and Horn, - - - -. -22,24 

Eaton's Neck, L. L, [3 ©], F. W., 147 feet. A second- 
order Syren, giving blasts of 9 seconds, at intervals of 
35 seconds, - - - - - - - - - 14, 15 

Execution Rocks, [4 ©], F. W., 58 feet. A third-order 
Fog-trumpet, giving blasts of 7 seconds, at intervals of 

15 seconds, 

Elm Tree Beacon, Range Lights, Staten Island, [2 and 
3 O], F. W., 62 and 192 feet, .... 

Egg Harbor, or Tucker's Island, N. J., [4 O], F. Y. W 
F., 50 feet, ........ 

Egg Island, Delaware Bay, [5 ©], F. W., 50 feet, - 
Fort Point, Me., [4 ©], F. W., 103 feet, - 
Franklin Island, Me., [4. ©], F. Y. W. F., 54 feet, 
Fort Pickering, Mass., [6. ©], F. W., 32 feet, - 
Fuller's Rock, R. I., [6 ©], F. W., 28 feet, - 
Falkner's Island, Long Island Sound, [4 ©], F. Y. W. F 

96 feet. Bell, - 

Fire Island, L. I., [1 ©], Fig. W., 168 feet, - 
Five Fathom Bank Light Ship, 2 lights, F. W., 45 and 50 
feet. A steam fog whistle, giving a blast of 4 seconds' dur 
ing each half minute, ...... 

Fourteen Foot Bank Light Ship, Delaware Bay, F. W. Bell 

and Rom, - - - - * - - - - 87, 88 



13, 


14 


78, 


79 


84, 


86 




60 




48 




30 


16, 


18 




84 


86, 


89 



INDEX. IX 

Page. 

Finn's Point Range Lights, Delaware River, Range Lens, 

F. W., 30 and 105 feet, 88, 89 

Fort Carroll, Md., [5 ©], F. W., 75 feet. Bell, - - 94 

Fenwick Island, Delaware and Maryland, [3 O], F. Y. W. 

F., 86 feet, 89, 90 

Fort Washington, Md., [6 ©], F. W., 17 feet, - - 97 

Frying Pan Shoal Light Ship, N. C, 2 lights, F W., 40 

feet. Bell and Horn, ------- 98 

G-rindel's Point, Me., [5 O], F. W., 39 feet, - - - 65 

Goat Island, Me., [6 ©], F. W., 38 feet, 

Gay Head, Mass., [1 O], Fig. W. and R., 170 feet, - 36 

Gull Island, Long Island Sound, [2 O], F. W., 88 feet. 

A second-order steam Syren, giving blasts of 5 seconds, 

at intervals of 40 seconds, 

Gardiner's Point, L. I., [6 ©], F. W., 33 feet, - 
Heron's Neck, Me., [5 ©], F. R., 92 feet, 
Half-way Rock, Me., [3 ©], F. Y. R. F., 80 feet, - 
Hendrick's Head, Me., [4 O], Fig. W., 40 feet, 
Hospital Point, Mass., [3 ©], F. W., 63 feet, - 
Handkerchief Light Ship, N. Shoals, Mass., F. W. Bell 

and Horn, --------- 

Hyannis, Mass., Refl. Lens, F. W., 42 feet, 

Holmes Hole, [4 ©], F. W., 69 feet, .... 

Hen and Chickens Light Ship, Buzzard's Bay, F. W. Bell 

and Horn, --------- 

Horton's Point, L. I., [3 ©], F. "W., 105 feet, 
Highlands of Neversink, 2 lights, [1 ©], F. W., 248 feet, 
Hereford Inlet, N. J., [4 ©], F. R., 57 feet, - 

Hog Island, Ya., [4 O], 60 feet, 

Hawkins Point, Md., 2 lights, [2 ©], F. W., 28 and 70 

feet, , - 

Indian Island, Me., [5 ©], F. R., 47 feet, 

Ipswich, Mass., 2 range lights. Front, F. W., 23 feet; 

rear, F. Y. W. F., 45 feet, 

Isle of Shoals, N. H., [2 ©], Fig. R. and W., 87 feet, - 
Jones' Point, Ya., [5 ©], F. ~W., 35 feet, 
Little River, Me., [5 ©], F. Y. W. F., 40 feet. Bell, - 
Long Island Head, Mass., [4 ©], F. W., 121 feet, - 
Long Point, Cape Cod, [5 ©], F. W., 37 feet. Bell, 
Lime Rock, R. I., [6 ©], F. W., 30 feet, 



19, 


20 


21, 


22 




63 




55 


57, 


58 




48 


37, 


40 




38 


36, 


41 


32, 


35 


16, 


19 




83 




86 




91 




94 


67, 


68 




49 


50, 


52 




97 




73 


44, 


46 




42 




27 



INDEX. 



Page. 
Little Gull Island, Long Island Sound. See Gull Island, 19 20 

Long Beach Point, L. 1., [5 ©], F. R., 54 feet. Bell, - 21 

Lloyd's Harbor, L. I., [5 ©], F. W., 40 feet, ... 14 

Leading Point, Md., Eange Light, with the two Hawkins 

Point Lights, [5 ©], F. V?., 70 feet, .... 94 

Lazaretto Point, Md., [5 ©], F. R., 34 feet. Bell, - - 94 

Love Point, Md., [5 ©], F. W., 38 feet. Bell, - - 96 

Lower Cedar Point, Ya., [5 ©], F. W., 35 feet. Bell, - 97 

Lambert Point, Va., [5 ©],'F. R., 38 feet. Bell, - - 92 

■Moose-a-Bec, Me., [2 ©], Fig. W., 65 feet, ... 72 

Mount Desert Rock, Me., [3 ©], F. W., 75 feet. Bell, - 52, 72 
Matinicus Rock, Me., two lights, [3 ©], F. W., 85 and 90 

feet. A steam fog- whistle, giving blasts of 5 seconds, 

at intervals of 25 seconds, 52, 70 

Marshall's Point, Me., [5 ©], F. W., 31 feet, - 
Monhegan Island, Me., [2 ©], Fig. W., 175 feet. The 

Fog Signal is nearly half a mile from the light, west. 

A first-class Daboll's Air Trumpet, giving blasts of 15 

seconds, at intervals of 40 seconds, 
Marblehead, Mass., [6 ©], F. W., 43 feet, 
Minot's Ledge, Mass., [2 ©], F. W., 92 feet. Bell, 
Monomoy Point, Mass., [4 ©], F. TV., 41 feet, 
Muscle Bed Shoal, R. I., [6 ©], F. R, 35 feet. Bell, - 
Montauk Point, L. I., [1 ©J, F. V. W. F., 169^ feet. A 

first-order Daboll Trumpet, giving blasts of 1 2 seconds, 

at intervals of 50 seconds, 

Mystic, Conn., [6 ©], F. W., 61 feet, .... 22 

Mispillion Creek, Del., [6 ©], F. W., 48 feet, - 

Maurice River, N. J., [6 ©], F. W., 48 feet, - 

Mathias Point Shoal, Va., [5 ©], F. W., 45 feet. Bell, - 68 

Negro Island, Me., [4 ©], F. W., 52 feet, 

Newburyport, Mass., 2 Range Lights, [4 ©], F. W., 25 

and 50 feet, ._.... . 50 

Narrows, Boston Harbor, [5 ©], F. R., 46 feet, - - 44, 46 
Nauset Beach, Mass., 3 lights, [4 ©], F. W., 93 feet, - 42 

Nantucket Great Point, [3 ©], F. W., 70 feet, - - 37 

Nantucket Range Lights, F. R. and F. W., 8 and 10 feet, 37, 39 
Nobsque Point, Mass., [5 ©], F. W., 89 feet. Bell, - 36, 40 
Nantucket South Shoal Light Ship, 2 lights, F. W. Bell 

and Horn, • - • - - - - - 32 



52,, 60 
47 
44 

27 



24, 25 



INDEX. Xi 

Page. 

Ned's Point, Mass, [6 ©], F. W., 43 feet, 

Newport, or Goat Island, R. L, [4 ©], F. W., 33 feet. 

Bell, 27, 29 

New London, Conn., [4 O], F. W., 90 feet. A third-class 
Fog Trumpet, giving blasts of 6 seconds, at intervals of 

14 seconds, 20 

New Haven, or South West Ledge, Conn., [4 ©], F. W., 

51 feet. Bell, - 16, 17 

New Haven Wharf, [6 ©], F. R, 21 feet, ... 17 

Norwalk Island, Conn., [4 ©], F. V. R. F., 52 feet, - 14, 15 
New Dorp Range, with Elm Tree Beacon, Staten Island, 

[2 O], F. W., 192 feet, - - - - - - 78, 79 

New Castle, Del., 2 lights, ranges for channel east of Pea 

Patch, F. W., 20 and 90 feet, - - - - - 88, 89 

Naval Hospital Wharf, Va., [6 ©], F. W., 32 feet, - 92 

New Point Comfort, Va., [4 ©], F. W., 60 feet, - - 95 

Owl's Head, Me., [4 ©], F. W., 105 feet, - - - 62, 68 
Old Field Point, L. L, [4 ©], F. W., 79 feet, - - - 15, 16 
Old Point Comfort, Va., [4 ©], F. W., 48 feet. Bell, - 92 

Ocracoke, N. C, [4 ©], F. W., 75 feet, .... 98 

Petit Menan, Me., [2 ©], F. V. W. F., 125 feet. A steam 
Fog- Whistle, giving 2 blasts of 5 seconds each per 
minute ; intervals between the blasts 8 seconds, and 42 

seconds, 72 

Pemaquid Point, Me., [4 ©], F. W., 75 feet, - - - 58, 60 
Pond Island, Me., [5 ©], F. W., 51 feet. Bell, - - 55 

Portland Head, Me., [2 ©], F. W., 101 feet. A second- 
class Daboll's Air Trumpet, giving blasts of 8 seconds, 

at intervals of 40 seconds, 54, 55 

Portland Breakwater, [6 ©], F. R., 23 feet, ... 54 

Portsmouth, N. H., [4 ©], F. W., 70 feet, - - - 51, 52 
Plymouth, or Gurnet Point, Mass., 2 range lights, [6 ©], 

F. W., 102 feet, 42, 43 

Pollock Rip Light Ship, F. W., 45 feet. A steam Fog- 
whistle, giving each minute a blast of 5 seconds'' duration, 
followed by an interval of 22 seconds ; then a blast of 3 
seconds' 1 duration, followed by an interval of 30 seconds. 

Also a Bell, 37, 42 

Palmer's Island, Mass., [5 ©], F. W., 38 feet, - - 35 

Poplar Point, R. I., [5 ©J, F. W., 51 feet, ... 31 



Xll INDEX. 

Page. 

Prudence Island, or Sandy Point, R. L, [5 o], F. "W., 30 
feet, ------.._. 

Pumham Rock, R. L, [6 o], F. R., 69 feet, - 
Point Judith, R. I, [4 ©], Fig. W., 67 feet. A first- 
order steam Syren, giving blasts of 6 seconds, at inter- 
vals of 40 seconds, - 

Plum Island, L. I, [4 ©], Fig. W., 76 feet. Bell, - 
Penfield Reef, Conn., [4 ©], Fig. R., 54 feet. Bell, 
Princes Bay, N. J., [3 ©], F. V. W. F., 106 feet, - 
Port Penn, Del., 2 range lights, F. "W., 40 and 140 feet, - 
Point Lookout, Md., [4 ©], F. W., 37 feet. Bell, ■ 
Piney Point, Md., [5 O], F. "W., 35 feet, 
Race Point, Mass., [4 O], F. Y. "W. F., 51 feet. A steam 
Fog Whistle, giving blasts of 4 seconds, with alternate 
intervals of 8 and 44 seconds, - 
Rose Island, R. L, [6 ©], F. R., 58 feet, .... 
Race Rock, Long Island Sound, [4 O], Fig. R. Bell (to 

be), - 

Robbin's Reef, N. Y., [4 ©], F. W., 58 feet. Bell, 

Saddleback Ledge, Me., [5 ©], F. "W., 51 feet, 

Seguin Island, Me., [1 ©], F. W., 180 feet. A steam 

Fog "Whistle, giving blasts of 8 seconds, at intervals of 

52 seconds, 55, 58 

Straitsmouth, Mass., [6 O], F. W., 33 feet, - - - 49, 50 
Sandy Neck, Mass., [5 ©], F. W., 59 feet, - - - 43 

Sankaty Head, Mass., [2 ©], F. V. W. F., 150 feet, - 32 

Shovelfull Shoal, or Butler's Hole Light Ship, Mass., F. R., 

40 feet. Bell and Horn, 37,40 

Succonnessett Shoal Light Ship, Mass., F. W., 40 feet. Bell 
and Horn, --------- 

Sabms Point, R. I., [6 ©], F. W., 51 feet, - 
Sassafras Point, R. I., [6 ©], F. R., 25 feet, - 
Sandy Point, or Prudence Island, R. I., [5 ©], F. W., 30 

feet, 

Stonington, Conn., [6 ©], F. W., 59£ feet, 
Shinnecock, L. I., [1 ©], F. W., 160 feet, 
Saybrook, Conn., [4 ©], F. W\, 73 feet. Bell, 
South-west Ledge, or New Haven, [4 ©], F. W., 57 feet, 
Stratford Point, Conn., [3 ©], Fig. W., 53 feet, 
Stratford Shoal, [4 ©], Fig. R. and W., 63 feet. Bell, - 





28 




30 


24, 


26 


21, 


22 


15, 


16 


80, 


81 


88, 


89 




96 




96 


42, 


43 


28, 


26 


19, 


20 




79 




63 





37 




28 




30 




28 




23 




84 


18, 


19 


16, 


17 


15, 


16 


14, 


16 



INDEX. 



xin 



Page. 

Sands' Point, L. I., [4 ©], Fig. W., 68 feet, - - - 13, 14 
Stepping Stones, [5 ©], F. R., 49 feet. Bell, ... 13 
Staten Island, N. Y., [4 ©], F. W., 90 feet, - - - 79, 80 
Sandy Hook Point, [4 ©], F. W., 48 feet. A first-order 
steam Fog Syren, giving blasts of 6 seconds, at inter- 
vals of 40 seconds, 80 

Sandy Hook North-west Light, [3 ©], F. W., 45 feet, - 83 

Sandy Hook Southern Light, [3 ©], F. W., 90 feet, - 83 

Sandy Hook Light Ship, 2 lights, F. R., 45 feet. A Bell 

and a Thiers Automatic Fog Horn, - - - - 82, 84 

Scotland Light Ship, 2 lights, F. W., 45 feet Bell, - - 82, 83 

Ship John Shoal, Delaware Bay, [4 ©], F. R., 53 feet. 

Bell, - 88 

Smith's Island, Va., [1 ©], Fig. W., 160 feet. Bell, - 91 

Stingray Point, Va., [6 © j, F. R., 36 feet. Bell, - 
Smith's Point, Va., [4 ©], Fig. W., 38 feet. Bell, - - 92, 94 
Sharp's Island, Md., [5 ©], F. W., 35 feet, ... 93 

Sandy Point, Md., [5 ©], F. V. "W. F., 50 feet. Bell, - 93 

Seven Foot Knoll, Md., [4 ©], F. R., 43 feet. Bell, - 96 

Tennants' Harbor, Me., [5 ©], Fig. R., 69 feet, - - 62 

Ten Pound Island, Mass., [6 ©], F. W., 50 feet, - - 48, 49 
Tarpaulin Cove, Mass., [4 ©], F. V. W. F., 80 feet, - 36, 40 

Throgg's Point, N. Y., [5 ©], F. W., 66 feet. Bell, - 13 

Tucker's Beach, or Little Egg Harbor, [4 ©], F. V. W. 

F., 50 feet, 84 

Thimble Shoal, Va., [4 ©], F. V. R., and W. F., 45 feet. 

Two Bells, struck simultaneously, - - - - 91, 92 
Too's Marsh, Va., [5 ©], F. W., 43 feet, ... 93 
Thomas Point Shoal, Md., [4 ©], Fig. R., 43 feet. Bell, 93 
Vineyard Sound, or Sow and Figs Light Ship, 2 lights, F. 
W. A first-class steam Syren, giving blasts of 6 seconds, 
followed by intervals of 45 seconds, .... 32, 40 
West Quoddy Head, Me., [3 ©], F. W., 133 feet. A 
steam Fog Whistle, giving blasts of 8 seconds, at inter- 
vals of 52 seconds, 73 

Winter Harbor, Me., [5 ©], F. W., 37 feet, - 
White Head, Me., [3 ©], F. W., 79 feet. A steam Fog 
Whistle, giving blasts of 8 seconds, at intervals of 52 

seconds, 62, 64 

Wood Island, Me., [4 ©], Fig. R., 62 feet. Bell, - 



XIV 



INDEX. 



White Island, N. H., [2 ©], Fig. R. and W., 87 feet, - 
Whale's Back, N. H., [4 ©], F. V. W. F., 65 feet. A 

Daboll Trumpet, giving blasts of 8 seconds' duration, 

at intervals of 22 seconds, ------ 

Wood End, Mass., [5 ©], Fig. R., 45 feet, 

Wing's Neck, Mass., [5 O], F. W., 44 feet, - 

Warwick Neck, R. I., [4 ©], F. W., 54 feet, - 

Watch Hill, Conn., [4 O], F. W., 62 feet, 

'Wreck of the Scotland Light Ship, 2 lights, F. W. Bell, - 

Wilson and Point Comfort Beacon Range Lights, N. J., 

[3 o], F. W., 45 and 76 feet, 

Wilmington, Del, [4 ©], F. W., 28 feet, 

West Point, N. Y., [6 ©], F. W., 40 feet, 

Winter Quarter Shoal Light Ship, F. W. Bell and Horn, 

Wolf Trap, Va., [4 ©], F. V. W. F., 38 feet. Bell and 

Horn, ---------- 

Windmill Point, Va., [5 ©], F. W., 38 feet. Bell, 

Watt's Island, Ya., [5 ©], F. V. W. F., 50 feet, - 

York Spit, Va., [4 ©], F. R., 38 feet. Bell or Horn, - 92, 94 

NOTE. 

If any doubt arises as to which Light is meant, as there are several of 
the same name, it will only be necessary to look at the page given in the 
Index, and it will give the position of the Light so that there need be no 
mistake as to the character or position of any Light referred to in the 
book. It would hardly be possible to arrange these Lights in a more con- 
venient form for a ready reference than the plan here given. 

Whoever will study the Book carefully, will find very little to mystify, 
and an amount of information that every man sailing the coast desires to 
know. W. A. p. 



Page. 


49, 


52 


49, 


52 




42 




34 


26, 


31 


23, 


24 


82, 


83 


78, 


79 




88 




77 


89, 


91 


93, 


95 


93, 


95 



OOUESES, DISTANCES, AKD BEAEINGS, 

BEGINNING AT GOVERNOR'S ISLAND, NEW YORK. 



Eastward. — From the NE. side of Governor's Island to 
the Light on the East end of BlackwelFs Island, the distance 
by the river is 6i miles, and its direct bearing is NE. It 
would be of no benefit to give the courses in detail through 
the East River. From Blackwell's Island Light to the North 
Brother Light, the distance is 2i miles ; from this to Throgg's 
Point Light, the course is E. £ S., distance 5 miles ; Stepping 
Stone Light bears from Throgg's Point NE. J N. ? distance 
If miles. 

Execution Light bears from the Stepping Stone NE. f N., 
distance 3f miles. 

Directions for Entering the Head of the Sound. — When run- 
ning for Execution Light, keep it within the bearings of 
W. \ N., to SW. i W., passing it on your starboard hand; 
keeping nearer to this than the Sand's Point Light ; when in 
past the Execution Light, steer SW. \ S., or you can keep 
the Stepping Stone Light (red) open a little south of Throgg's 
Point Light, as that will take you clear of Gangway Rock and 
Hart Island Point. Leave the Stepping Stone on your port 
hand, then steer S. SW. until to Throgg's Point, which you 
will give a good berth in rounding ; when you can steer W. 
by N. about one mile, then W. i S. will take you to Riker's 
Island. 

You can pass the Execution Light to the North of it, but 
give the reef a good berth on that side. This reef bears NE. 
by N. I N., and SW. by S. I S., therefore do not approach 

(13) 



14 YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 

the Light on those bearings. The South end of Hart Island 
bears from Execution Light SW. J S., distance 2i miles. 
Gangway Rock buoy bears from Execution Light S. SW., 
distance 1J miles. 

If bound into Hempstead Bay from the Westward, or bound 
West from there, do not get the Execution Light to bear any- 
thing North of W. by N., on account of the Old Hen Rock, 
which bears from the Light about E. SE., distance 1-J miles, 
and from Sands' Point Light, E. by N. f N., distance f of a 
mile. 

This rock shows little before low water. Sometimes there 
is a bush on it, but it should be supplied with an iron spindle. 

LONG ISLAND SOUND, LONG COURSES. 

From Sands' Point Light to Race Rock Light, the distance 
is 80f miles, as follows : An E. NE. course, distance 8f miles, 
when Captain's Island Light will bear NW. The course from 
this bearing to Race Rock Light is E. f N., distance 71i miles. 
This is the longest course you can make in the Sound. From 
one-half a mile North of Sands' Point to Stratford Point Light, 
bearing North, distance one mile, the course is E. NE., distance 
32J miles ; from this to Little Gull Island Light the course is 
East, distance 45 miles. 

LONG ISLAND SOUND LIGHTS, WITH THEIR RELATIVE 

BEARINGS AND DISTANCES, INCLUDING SOME 

SPECIAL DIRECTIONS FOR HARBORS. 

Captain's Island Light bears from Sands' Point Light NE. 
\ N., distance 8f miles. 

Huntington, or Eaton's Neck Light, is distant from Execu- 
tion and Sands' Point Lights 16J miles. The buoy off 
Lloyd's Point bears from Eaton's Neck Light W. | N., distance 
4 miles. Eaton's Neck beajs from Captain's Island Light 
E. by S. \ S., distance 10i miles. 

Lloyd's Harbor Light bears from Eaton's Neck SW., 
distance 2f miles. Norwalk Island Light bears from Execu- 
tion Light NE. by E. i E., distance 17 1 miles ; and from 



YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 15 

Eaton's Neck it bears N. i W., distance 5f miles. Stratford 
Shoal Light bears from Eaton's Neck E. by N. f N., distance 
14 J miles, and from Nor walk Island Light it bears E. \ S., 
distance 14f miles. 

Directions to Norwalk Harbor Anchorage. — Bring the Light 
to bear NE. by E. i E., and run for it until you are about If 
to 1^ miles from it, then steer North until past the red buoy 
on Green's Ledge, which bears from the Light E. NE., distance 
\\ miles ; after passing this buoy about one-quarter of a mile, 
steer E. NE. until the Light bears South,. or a little West of 
it, when you will have from 10 to 13 feet of water at low tide. 

Old Field Light bears from Norwalk Island Light E. SE., 
distance 14£ miles. Old Field bears from Eaton's Neck 
Light East, distance 12f miles. Stratford Shoal Light bears 
from Old Field N. by E. £ E., distance 4| miles. 

Mt. Misery Shoal buoy bears from Old Field Light E. by N., 
distance If miles (6 feet on this shoal). 

Penfield Reef Light bears from Eaton's Neck NE., distance 
13 miles, and from Norwalk Island Light E. by N. J N., dis- 
tance 10 miles. Be careful and not get Penfield Reef, or Nor- 
walk Island Lights, in the line of this bearing, only when you 
are between two and four miles West of Penfield Reef ; when 
you can run into Southport, which is a tide harbor. To go 
in there, run to the northward until you make the beacon, 
pass that on your starboard hand, then keep the breakwater 
end on your starboard bow, and haul around it on that hand. 
It is a good place of refuge, if in a small craft. Stratford 
Shoal Light bears from Penfield Reef SE. J E., distance 6| 
miles. 

Stratford Point Light bears, from Penfield Reef Light, E. 
by N. J N., distance 5i miles. 

To Enter Blach RocJc Harbor. — From the Westward, after 

passing Penfield Reef Light about one-fourth of a mile, steer N. 

by W. J W. about 1-J- miles, or until the Light bears East, then 
2 



16 YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 

steer about North, and anchor with the Light bearing from 
E. SE. to SE. You will pass a red buoy when going in, that 
lies about three-eighths of a mile South from the Light. If 
you are from the Eastward, run in for the Light, and give 
the point a good berth, as above directed. 

Black Rock Light bears from Penfield Reef N. by E., dis- 
tance li miles. 

Directions for Entering Bridgeport Harbor. — When Bridge- 
port Light bears N. J E., run for it, passing it on your port 
hand ; continue on this course until up past a red buoy, 
and to a beacon which you leave on your port hand ; from 
this steer NE. J N. to another beacon, which you leave on 
the same hand ; after passing this beacon a short distance, 
the course is about NW. by N., but the buoys must be your 
chief guide. 

Bridgeport Light bears from Penfield Reef NE. J N., dis- 
tance 2-J miles, and from Black Rock Light E. NE., distance 
1J miles. The mean rise and fall of the tide at Bridgeport 
is six feet five inches. 

Southwest Ledge, or New Haven Light, bears from Old 
Field Light NE. J N., distance 17-J miles. New Haven Light 
bears from Stratford Shoal NE., little Easterly, distance 13f 
miles. 

Stratford Point Light bears from Stratford Shoal Light 
N. i E., distance 51 miles. 

New Haven Light bears from Stratford Point E. NE., 
distance 10 miles. 

Falkner's Island Light bears from Stratford Shoal E. by 
N. 1 N., distance 22f miles, and from Stratford Point Light it 
bears E. I N., distance 20i miles. 

Horton's Point Light bears from Stratford Shoal E. i S., 
distance 29f miles. Horton's Point bears from New Haven 
Light SE. by E. J E., distance 22f miles Horton's Point 



YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 17 

bears from Falkner's Island SE. £ S., distance 11 J miles. 
Falkner's Island Light bears from New Haven E. by S. % S., 
distance 111 miles; Branford Beacon is about on this bearing, 
distance from New Haven Light 5 miles, and from Falkner's 
Island Light 6f miles. 

Directions for Entering New Haven Harbor. — The South- 
west Ledge, or New Haven Light, may be approached close 
to on all sides except in the direction E. by N., where there 
are rocks, varying from 150 to 350 yards distant, having from 
10 to 13 feet of water over them at low tide. When coming 
from the Westward, bring this Light to bear NE. by E., and 
run for it until you are within one-fourth or one-eighth of a 
mile of it ; then steer N. by E. J E., distance 2J miles, when 
you will be up to Fort Hale Point, and near the Red Buoy No. 
6, which you leave on your starboard hand ; then steer N. f W. 
about three-fourths of a mile to Black Buoy No. 5, from this 
N |E. towards the end of Long Wharf, on which there is a 
red light. The best place to anchor is SW. from the end of 
this wharf. 

When running for New Haven Light from the Eastward, do 
not get the Light to bear West of W. NW., as this bearing 
will take you clear of all the shoals up to the Light, and out- 
side of Branford Reef. You can haul in to the East of the 
Light, but pretty near to it, if your draft of water is not over 
ten feet. 

The mean rise and fall of the tide at New Haven is six feet. 

THIMBLE ISLANDS. 

This is truly the most charming and romantic combination 
of land and water that is to be found on the shores- of Long 
Island Sound. 

I will give some general directions to enter the harbor. If 
you are from the Westward, and pretty well in to the land 
East of New Haven Light, steer East, and you will make a red 
buoy that is on Negro Heads ; leave it on your port hand, and 
continue E. i N. (you should have the Outer Thimble on 
your starboard bow), you will soon make another red buoy, 



18 YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 

which is distant from Negro Heads 1| miles ; this buoy is on 
Inner Reef, and it bears from Outer Thimble W. by N. I N., 
distance i mile, pass it on your port hand, and after passing 
this buoy, haul up to NE. J E., and run in, keeping nearer to 
the islands on the starboard hand ; after you have passed three 
islands on the starboard, beside the little Outer Thimble, 
anchor about N. NE. from the end of the last of the three. If 
you haul in just East of Branford Beacon, steer NE. by E. 
until you make the red buoy on Inner Reef. On this course, 
you will pass the black buoy on Wheaton's Reef on your star- 
board hand; this buoy bears from Inner Reef buoy S. |W., 
distance \ of a mile. If coming from the Westward, and 
well in North of Falkner's Island, steer W. by N. for the 
Outer Thimble, give it only a little berth, and haul in the 
West side of the islands, and proceed as before directed. 

From Falkner's Island East, to pass North of Cornfield 
Point, Middle Ground. Cornfield Point Light Ship is anchored 
off the South side of this shoal. From one-half a mile North 
of the black buoy on the North point of Falkner's Island, an 
E. i S. course will take you just south of the red buoy on the 
tail of Saybrook Bar. From close in to the South side of 
Falkner's Island an E. J N. course will take you to the same 
place, passing North of the middle ground on these courses. 
This sand shoal extends about 5i miles East and West, with 
depth of water on it from 7 to 18 feet. The Light Ship is about 
off the middle of the shoal. 

To avoid the shoal when South of it, do not bring Cornfield 
Point Light Ship to bear South of Last when West of it, or South 
of West when Last of it. When to the Northward of this shoal 
at night, care must be taken that Saybrook Light does not 
bear East of E. by N. i N. ; when you are East far enough to 
bring Cornfield Light Ship to bear SE. or South of it, Crane's 
Reef bears W. by S. from Saybrook Light, distance 2f miles, 
and from The Light Ship NW. i N., distance 2|- miles. 

The Hen and Chickens Reef, on which there is a spindle, 
bears from Crane's Reef E. J N., distance f of a mile. Corn- 



YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 19 

field Point buoy bears from this spindle E. J S., distance f of a 
mile. 

There is a good passage North of these three reefs by 
keeping from one-eighth to one-fourth of a mile North of 
them ; but there is a reef that is bare at f ebb, which bears 
from the end of Cornfield Point W. i N., distance -f mile, and 
from Hen and Chickens spindle NE. by N. -J N., distance 
nearly -J a mile. Wesibrook Harbor is to the Northward of 
Crane's Reef; Salt Island bears from this reef N.NW., dis- 
tance If miles. 

There is a dangerous rock called the Dumpling, that bears 
about SW. by W. from Salt Island, distance f of a mile; 
therefore to avoid it, run in toward the island until about 
West of it, when you can haul to the Westward and anchor 
opposite the East Cottages. 

Cornfield Point Light Ship bears from Falkner's Island 
E. J S., distance 12 miles, and from Horton's Point it bears 
N.NE. J E., distance 81 miles. Saybrook Light bears from 
Cornfield Light Ship NE., distance 3J miles. Saybrook Light 
bears from Horton's Point Light NE. by N. £ N., distance 
12 J- miles. 

Plumb Island Light bears from Saybrook SE. f S., distance 
8f miles. Bartlettfs Reef Light Ship bears from Cornfield 
Light Ship E. i N., distance 12 miles, and Little Gull Island 
Light bears E. by S. \ S., distance 12f miles. Little Gull bears 
from Saybrook Light SE. by E. i E., distance 11 1 miles. 

Directions for Entering Connecticut River by the Last Chan- 
nel. — First, make the P. S. or entrance buoy that bears SE. 
\ E. from Saybrook Light, distance If miles, then run in, 
keeping the Light on or near this bearing, i. #., NW. \ W., 
passing the Stone Beacon on your port hand about 200 or 300 
feet distant ; from this steer N. by W. \ W. up past the steamboat 
docks to the anchorage North of the docks. Keep well on the 
West side of the river up this far. If bound to the river from 
the Westward, inside of Cornfield Shoal, bring Saybrook 



20 YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 

Light to bear E.NE., and run for it on that bearing until 
well in to the breakwater, and when Saybrook Light bears 
North, steer for it, passing close by the East side of the West 
breakwater; run in between the two breakwaters, and as you 
approach the Light, enter the river about midway of the 
Light and the Beacon. Then observe the other directions. 
This entrance to the Connecticut River is very plain. Seven 
feet of water can be carried in here at any time of tide, except 
in extreme cases. Strangers should not attempt to enter this 
river at night. 

Little Gull Island Light bears from Bartletfs Reef Light 
Ship S. f E., distance 4-J miles. Race Rock Light bears from 
Little Gull Light NE. by E. J E., distance 34 miles. Val- 
iant Rock, with 17 feet of water on it, lies about in the middle 
of the Race ; it bears from Little Gull E.NE., distance 2 miles, 
and from Race Rock Light it bears SW. 4 W., distance 
nearly 14 miles. The flood tide runs about NW. by W. in 
this part of the Race, at about 4 knots on the 2d quarter. 
The rips in the Race are very heavy, with the wind against 
the tide. BartleWs Reef Light Ship bears from New London 
Light SW. 4 W., distance 34 miles. 

To Enter New London Harbor from the Westward. — After 
passing Bartletfs Reef Light Ship, steer NE. by E. f E., 
until New London Light bears N. 4 E. ; you will then keep 
the Light within the bearings of N. 4 E. and N.NW. until 
within J or f of a mile of it ; then keep N. by E., or the East 
shore best aboard. The anchoring ground is above the fort, 
on the West side of the river. — Little Gull Island Light bears 
from New London Light S. by W. \ W., distance 64 miles. 
Race Rock Light bears from New London Light S. by E. 4 E., 
distance 4f miles. This is to be a Flashing Red Light when 
lighted. 

To enter New London Harbor from Fisher'' § Island Sound. — 
When the Sea Flower Beacon bears SW., distance J of a mile, 
New London Light will bear NW. by W. \ W.; keep the Light 
on this bearing, and run for it until about three-eighths of 



YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 21 

a mile of it, when you will steer about North. On this course 
you will first pass a red buoy off Pine Island, on your starboard 
hand, and then the buoy and beacon that is on Black Ledge 
on your port. This course will take you North of the hori- 
zontal striped buoy on Frank's Ledge, but you can leave it 
on either hand, only give it a little berth. 

The Sea Flower Beacon mentioned above bears NW. £ N., 
distance f of a mile from the Dumpling Light. 

GARDINER'S BAY, L. I. 

From Gardiner's Point Light to Greenport, the distance is 
10 miles. To Sag Harbor from Gardiner's Point, distance 
lOf miles. Plumb Island Light bears from Gardiner's 
Point NW. J W., distance 3£ miles. Long Beach Point 
Light bears from Gardiner's Point W. \ S., distance 7£ miles. 
Long Beach Point bears from Plumb Island Light SW. f 
W., distance 5J miles. 

Sailing Directions for Greenport. — If coming through Plumb 
Gut, after passing the Beacon on Orient Reef, steer SW. f S. 
until Long Beach Point Light bears NW. by W., when you 
will pass little North of a P.S. or channel buoy ; from this a 
W.NW. course until West of the Light, is perfectly safe for 
most any vessel ; but a W. by N. course will take you to the 
next P.S. or channel buoy, and from that a NW. f N. course 
will take you to the Light bearing East ; you can then steer 
about W. | S., and pass close by Hay Beach Point, (port 
hand,) then W.SW., passing a red buoy on your starboard 
hand. The best anchorage for yachts is from South to S.E. 
of the railroad wharf. 

PLUMB GUT. 

If you wish to go through Plumb Gut in the night, from 
the Eastward (inside, or past Gardiner's Point), do not haul 
up for the Gut until Plumb Island Light bears N.NW., then 
merely give the Island a berth of 100 or 200 yards distance. 
A. good breeze is necessary here for safety, on account of the 
strong tide and the rips it makes. 



22 YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 

FOR SAG HARBOR FROM PLUMB GUT. 

Steer S. by W. until Cedar Island Light bears SW. by W. 
i W., then steer that course, leaving the Light as you 
approach it on your port hand ; then steer S. f W. about 1£ 
miles ; then you will haul more to the Westward, and be 
guided by the color of the buoys, red starboard, and black 
on your port hand. 

If you wish to enter Gardiner's Bay past the East end of 
Plumb Island, you should either keep pretty close to the Isl- 
and, or go to the East of Old Silas Rock, which is always 
above water. About one-fourth of a mile NW. from this 
rock there is the wreck of a government steamer, and parts 
of her are pretty near the surface at low tide. The ship 
channel is to the Eastward of Old Silas ; 3i fathoms of water 
will be carried through there. 

Bedford Eeef bears S. |E. from Old Silas Rock. It has 
thirteen feet of water on it. Marked by a buoy. 

Directions to find Napeague Harbor in the night. — After pass- 
ing the extreme East point of Gardiner's Island (a point 
that is very rocky, and it should be allowed a good berth), 
steer about South, keeping Little Gull Light just on the edge 
of the bluff on Gardiner's Island, which will bring you to the 
mouth of the harbor. To Enter Napeague Harbor. — When you 
pass the outer or entrance buoy, leave it on your port hand, 
and steer about S. by W. until you pass another buoy or bush 
on your port, then haul to the Southward, and keep well 
toward the East shore as you enter. Keep a lookout for the 
shoals on the West side of the entrance. 

Do not keep off to the Westward after you are in the Bay, 
until you are nearly to the middle Fish Factory. 

FISHER'S ISLAND SOUND. 

North Dumpling Light bears from New London Light SE. 
| E., distance 3-f miles. Mystic Light bears from North 
Dumpling NE., distance 2J- miles. Eel Grass Shoal Light 
Ship bears from North Dumpling E. by N. \ N., distance 3f 



YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 23 

miles. Stonington Light House bears from the Eel Grass 
Light Ship E.NE., distance 2i miles. Watch Hill Light 
bears from the Dumpling West, distance 7£ miles. 

Directions for Stonington Harbor. — From one-fourth of a 
mile South of Bartlett's Reef Light Ship, an E. f N. course 
will carry you a little North of North Dumpling Light ; con- 
tinue on this course until to the Eel Grass Shoal Light Ship, 
and when little past her, steer for Stonington Light, keeping 
it on your port bow ; the course will be about NE. f E., dis- 
tance 2-J- miles. You will pass a red buoy on your port hand 
on this run. When about one-fourth of a mile of Stonington 
Light, keep N. by E. i E. toward the West end of the Break- 
water, North of which you can anchor, or continue on and 
anchor above the steamboat wharf. 

STONINGTON FROM THE EASTWARD. 

Steer W. | N. in past Watch Hill Light, passing South of 
it not less than J of a mile ; passing the Gangway Rock buoy 
(red), on your starboard hand. 

The Watch Hill Reef Buoy and Spindle will be on your 
port ; continue on the above course, passing Naptree Point 
Buoy (red) on your starboard hand, and when Stonington 
Light bears North steer for it open on your starboard bow, 
passing it from j- to £ of a mile distance. South by West, 
distance £ of a mile from the Light, you will pass an H.S. 
Buoy on your starboard hand. (See other directions.) 

FISHER'S ISLAND SOUND. 

From little South of Bartletfs Beef Light Ship steer E. J 
N. until well past the Dumpling Light, then steer East until 
near to Naptree Point Buoy (red) then steer E. i S. out past 
the Gangway Rock Buoy, passing it on your port, and the 
Watch Hill Spindle and Buoy on your starboard hand. The 
tide runs so strong through this Sound, that a given course 
cannot be relied on, but a careful attention must be paid to 
the Buoys and Spindles. 

I will give the Buoys and Spindles as passed on this course 
from Dumpling Light to Watch Hill. 



24 YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 

You will first pass a Red Buoy on Ram Island Reef; North 
of the Buoy is a Spindle on the same Reef; these you will 
leave some distance on your port hand. The next on your 
port will be the Spindle on Latimer's Reef, the West end, and 
an H.S. Buoy on the East end of the same Reef. This Spin- 
dle bears SE. by E., distance f of a mile from Eel Grass 
Shoal Light Ship. Southwest \ South from Latimer's Reef 
Spindle is a Black Buoy on Young's Rock, and S. by E. 
from the same Spindle is a Black Buoy on Seal Rocks. 
East by South from the Seal Rock Buoy is the Spindle on 
Wiccopesset Reef, and E. \ S. from this is a Spindle on 
Catumb Reef. 

These two Black Buoys and the two Spindles, to be passed 
on your starboard hand ; but before you are to the last Spin- 
dle named, you will have to pass Naptree Point Buoy (red), 
on your port hand. This Buoy bears from Catumb Reef Spin- 
dle NW., distance f of a mile. You will next pass on your 
port the Gangway Rock Buoy, and on your starboard hand, 
Watch Hill Reef Spindle and Buoy. 

"Watch Hill Light bears from New London Light E. by S., 
distance 10i miles. 

From Watch Hill Light to Point Judith the course is East, 
distance 17i miles. 

Montauk Point Light bears from Little Gull Light SE., 
distance 14 miles. To pass Montauk Point from Little Gull 
Island Light, steer SE. \ E. until Montauk Point bears 
South, then merely give the Point a good berth in rounding it. 

On this course given, you will pass West of Cerebus Shoal 
buoy, and East of Shagwong Reef. This Reef bears from 
Montauk Light NW. -§- N., distance 3| miles. The SW. 
end of Block Island bears from Little Gull Light E. by S. J 
S., distance 22| miles, and Block Island North Point Light 
bears E. i S., distance 24f miles. Point Judith Light bears 
from Little Gull E. f N., distance 30 miles; Watch Hill 
Light bears from Little Gull E.NE. \ E., distance 12| miles. 



YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 25 

This bearing is directly across the Watch Hill Reefs that lie 
to the Southward of the Light. Point Judith bears from 
Watch Hill Light E. \ N., distance 174 miles. Montauk 
Light bears from Watch Hill S. f W., distance 13| miles; 
Block Island North. Point Light bears from Watch Hill SE. 
by E. | E., distance 13f miles. Point Judith Light bears 
from Montauk Point NE. f E., distance 29J miles. Block 
Island North Point Light bears from Montauk NE. by E. f E., 
distance 15f miles, and from Gardiner's Point E. J N., dis- 
tance 26 i miles. This bearing is over Cerebus Shoal, which 
lies Si miles from Gardiner's Point, 7i miles E.SE. from 
Little Gull Light, and 74 miles NW. by N. 4 N. from Mon- 
tauk Point. Block Island Light on the SE. Point bears 
from Montauk Point E. by N., distance, 15 miles. 

This course will take you over SW. Ledge, which is dis- 
tant from Montauk Point 9J miles, and from Block Island 
Light 5| miles. The least water on SW. Ledge is 5 fathoms, 
and in heavy weather it breaks. 

Sometimes codfish and bluefish are plenty on this Reef. 
If you wish to go into Block Island Harbor, you can keep 
within one-eighth of a mile of the Island on the South side 
of it, haul to the Northward as you get East of the Light, and 
run for the Gap, or end of the breakwater, on your port bow, 
passing it on that hand. There is good anchorage Northwest 
of the breakwater, and the Basin can accommodate a large 
number of small craft. 

There are two Range Lights to show the line of the break- 
water. They bear N.NE. and S.SW. from each other, and 
when coming in here in the night, keep the high or rear light 
open West of the front low light. The outer end of the 
breakwater curves to the Northward, and when it is finished, 
probably these lights will mark the extreme end of it when 
they are in range. If you want to try the cod fishing, you 
will generally find them about E.SE. from the breakwater, 
distance 5 to 7 miles ; but if you are not fitted with the gear, 
you will always find one of the Islanders ready to go with 
you and furnish lines and bait at a reasonable price. 



26 YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 

The buoy off the North Point of the Island bears from the 
Light N. i E., distance If miles. 

I will say for Block Island that I think it surpasses all other 
places on the coast West of the Isle of Shoals, as a summer 
resort, on account of its pure ocean air, cool nights, good 
fishing and sailing, and good hotels. The Ocean Yiew will 
be found a pleasant and well-kept house, as its proprietor 
intends to please all who dwell with him. [This is no ad- 
vertisement.] 

Point Judith Light bears from Block Island North Point 
Light NE. i N., distance 9 miles, and from the SE. Point 
Light it bears NE. by N. i N., distance 12i miles, and llf 
from the breakwater on the same bearing. 

Beaver-tail Light bears from Block Island Southeast Point 
Light NE. by N. \ N. distance 19 miles. 

Beaver-tail bears from Point Judith NE. -§- N., distance' 6i 
miles. If bound up to Newport or the East passage from 
near Point Judith, steer NE. J E. until you are above 
Beaver-tail Light, then run NE. i E., and if bound up the 
Bay, when Bose Island Light bears N.NE., steer N. J E., 
passing it on your starboard hand. If you are bound up the 
Bay by the West passage, when around Point Judith, steer 
NE. i N. until up to Beaver-tail, when you will steer N. by E. 
up past Dutch Island Light, which is distant from Beaver-tail 
2f miles. If you wish to stop at Dutch Island Harbor, when 
about an eighth of a mile below it steer NE., passing near 
the Light on your port hand, you will pass a red buoy on 
your starboard. (You can enter this Harbor from the North- 
ward.) After you are to the North end of Dutch Island, and 
bound up the Bay, steer N. by E. J E. until Warwick Neck 
Light, which is distant from Dutch Island lOf miles, bears 
N. \ E., then run for it until it is distant three-eighths of a 
mile, then steer NE. Other directions for this Bay will be 
seen. 

Br enter? 8 Beef Light Ship bears from the North point 



YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 27 

Block Island Light NE. ■§■ E., distance 15 J miles. Brenten's 
Beef Light Ship bears from Point Judith NE. by E. I E., 
distance 6f miles, and from Beaver-tail it bears SE. by S. I S., 
distance li miles. Brenten's Reef Buoy bears from Beaver- 
tail Light E.SE., distance If miles. 

If bound into Newport from the Eastward, bring Beaver- 
tail Light to bear NW. by W., and run for it on this bear- 
ing; this will take you some distance North of the Light Ship, 
and one-fourth of a mile South of the Reef buoy ; the Light 
Ship lies little over one mile SW. i W. from the end of the 
Reef. When you are about one mile from Beaver-tail Light, 
the Light Ship bearing S.SW., haul up to N.NE., and run 
nearly two miles, or until you are above Castle Hill, which is 
the extreme West point of land on your starboard hand ; it 
bears from Beaver-tail E. by N. J N., distance li miles. 

(Jan., 1878, there is an Automatic Whistling Buoy 200 
yards W. by S. from Castle Hill, only to serve as a fog signal. 
If it does not remain, it will be substituted by a fog signal 
station on the shore near this point.) 

You will then steer N. by E. i E., which course will take 
you past the Fort Dock ; go as close to this as you like. The 
course from this dock to a black buoy off the South end of 
Goat Island, is SE. by E. \ E. ; leave this on your port hand, 
passing North of Lime Rock Light, which bears from Fort 
Adam's Dock SE. f E., distance f of a mile. If the wind 
is not favorable to enter the harbor this way, you can go 
around the North end of Goat Island, and haul in past the 
Light on the Breakwater, then steer S. i W. until past the 
Old Colony Steamboat Dock. 

Choose your anchorage, if possible, out of the line of the 
steamboats' passage to their docks, and East of the N. Y. 
Steamers' course, which is directly from their dock to Lime 
Rock Light. Then, if you are in want of anything in the 
ship chandlery line, call on friend Coggeshall, on the Ameri- 
can Steamboat Co's Dock. 



28 YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 

BEARINGS AND DISTANCES WITH SOME SAILING DIREC- 
TIONS FOR NARRAGANSETT BAY. 

Rose Island Light bears from Beaver-tail NE. £ E., distance 
3f miles, and from Brenterts Reef Light Ship, NE. by N., 
distance 4J miles. (Both of these bearings range across the 
land.) 

The South end of Gould Island bears from Rose Island 
Light N. f E., distance 2 miles. When Rose Island bears 
East one-eighth of a mile, the course to Sand Point Light (on 
the East side of Prudence Island) is NE. by N. i N., dis- 
tance 7 miles. From near Sand Point Light, a NE. i E. course, 
distance 2f miles, will take you between the Muscle Shoal 
and Bristol Ferry Lights. On this course you will pass near 
a black buoy off the SE. point of Hog Island. This buoy 
bears from the Muscle Shoal Light W. by S. \ S., distance 
■J- a mile. 

From north of the Muscle Shoal Light, to the Beacon off 
Fall River, the course is NE. by E., distance 5f miles. If you 
are bound to Bristol, after passing the Hog Island buoy, steer 
N. i W. until up to the wharves, distance a little over two 
miles. On this course you will first pass a red buoy near 
Bristol Ferry Light, and a black buoy, about three-fourths of 
a mile above the point buoy ; the next is an horizontal striped 
buoy nearly up to the town, this you leave on your port hand. 

Sailing Directions for Bristol West of Hog Island. — When 
the red buoy off the SW. point of Hog Island bears East, 
steer N. by E. | E., distance If miles, to a black buoy. (On 
this course you will pass the Castle Island Beacon on your 
right.) When up to the black buoy, steer NE. for the Town, 
passing West of the horizontal striped buoy. 

The red buoy on the SW. point of Hog Island, bears from 
Sand Point Light NE. -J E., distance If miles. 

If bound to Warren, after passing Sand Point Light, steer 
North; this course will carry you to the East of Ohio Ledge 
buoy, distant from the Light 4f miles, and when this buoy 



YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 29 

bears West, steer NE. \ E. leaving the buoy on the South 
end of Rumstick Shoal on your port hand. This buoy lies 
from Ohio Ledge buoy, distance If miles. You will next 
pass a black buoy on your port as usual; on this course you 
will pass three red buoys on your starboard hand, and Allen's 
Rock Beacon on your port, then above this beacon, about 
NE. \ E. from it, you will pass on your port, a black buoy on 
the SE. end of the Middle Ground ; above this you will pass 
three red buoys on the starboard hand, course about N. by E. 
The distance from the beacon to the upper red buoy is about 
J of a mile. Keep a good look-out for the Upper Middle 
Ground. 

There is good water up to the Town, and with a careful 
attention to the buoys, these directions can be relied on if you 
have no chart. 

PROVIDENCE, FROM NEWPORT. 

From the Breakwater Light on the North end of Goat 
Island a N. by W. course will take you clear of all the reefs, 
and West of Bishop's Rock buoy. The first buoy above the 
Light is a black one on Tracey's Ledge, East of that is a red 
buoy on Patrick's Rock, then the black buoy North of the 
Gull Rocks. On these rocks there is a small beacon ; you 

will leave this on your port hand. 

» 

The Bishop Rock buoy bears from the Gull Rocks buoy N. 
I E., distance I of a mile. 

When up to this buoy (Bishop Rock), a N. J E. course, dis- 
tance 5f miles, will carry you up to Despair Island bearing 
West. This island lies off the NE. end of Hope Island, 
and Hope Island bears N. by E.- -J E., distance li miles, from 
the north end of Conanicut Island. On the above course 
given, i. e., N. J E., you will pass the Halfway Rock Spindle 
on your starboard hand. It bears from the Bishop Rock buoy 
N. by E., distance 2| miles. (There is a passage between the 
South end of Prudence Island and Halfway Rocks of over 
one-half a mile.) You should give Hope Island a good berth 



30 YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 

on all sides. When Despair Island bears West, steer N. J 
W. for Warwick Light, distance 3J miles, until the Light is 
about one-quarter or three-eighths of a mile distant, then the 
course is NE. f N., distance nearly three miles, to a black 
buoy on the shoal South of Conimicut Point Light ; the buoy 
bears from this Light S. i E., distance | of a mile. From 
this buoy steer North until past the Light, then NW. by N. i 
N., distance If miles, to the Light on Bullock Point Shoals, 
which you leave on your starboard hand. From this Light 
to tli e Light on the oyster beds (or Sabine's Point Light) the 
course is N. f W., distance If miles; you will leave this 
Light on your starboard hand, and the Pawtuxent Beacon 
on your port; continue the course past the Light about one- 
fourth of a mile, then steer NE. £ N., passing a red buoy 
on your starboard hand, then a black buoy on your port; 
continue on this course until the Light on Pomham Rock 
bears N.NE., then steer for it, passing it on your starboard 
hand, and Pomham Beacon on your port. From near this 
Light (West of it) the course is N. by W., until nearly up to 
the Light on Fuller's Rock, distance 1-J miles; this Light you 
will leave on your starboard hand. 

Off Field's Point West of this Light, the shore is quite bold. 
The course from Fuller's Pock Light to the Light on Sassa- 
fras Point is NW. f N., distance f of a mile. You will pass 
one red buoy on this last course. From this Light to the city 
the course is N. by W. The buoys are very prominent all the 
way up this bay and river, and strangers should be particular 
to observe the color, and their line of bearings, as the water 
is quite shoal each side of the channel in many places. 

WIC£FORD. 

Wickford is now quite an important point of railroad com- 
munication, therefore yachtsmen will frequent it quite often. 
If bound there from Newport, when off the North end of 
Conanicut Island, steer W. i N., passing the beacon on the 
South end of White Rocks on your starboard hand, and a 
black buoy on James Ledge on your port ; continue on about 



YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 31 

the same course, and anchor a little North of the black buoy 
that lies NE. of Poplar Point Light. If you wish to run in 
for the Light from down the bay, bring Poplar Point Light to 
bear NW. by W., and run for it, keeping it on your port bow. 
Give the point NE. of the Light a good berth. 

Directions for East Greenwich. — When Warwick Light bears 
North, distance f of a mile, steer NW. \ W., distance 1J 
miles, to a black buoy ; from this steer W.NW., distance 14 
miles, to a black buoy on Sally Rock. (If you vary from 
these courses, let it be to the Northward, and nothing South of 
this line.) After passing the buoy on Sally Rock, steer W. 
by S. f S., distance I of a mile, to a red buoy ; leave that on 
your starboard hand, and continue the course to a black buoy 
off Long Point, distance f of a mile , after passing this point, 
you will steer about South past a red buoy. 

SATTGHKONNET RIVER. 

This river will be found a very convenient place of refuge, 
and a good harbor for any wind. — Prom J to 4 a mile West 
of West Island (which is the extreme point on the East side 
of the river), steer N. i E., and as you get up into the river, 
keep the West shore little best aboard until up to Fog-Land 
Point, which is on the East side, distance 7 miles North of 
West Island. Above this point you will have a good harbor, 
and below it, for some distance, good anchorage. 

In entering this river care must be taken that the point on 
the West side of the entrance does not bear East of North, as 
there are other shoals in the vicinity of Cormorant Rock, 
which you must leave on your port hand, and not approach 
near it, only on the East and North sides of it. This rock 
bears from West Island NW. by W. | W., distance 2f miles. 

West Island bears from Brenton's Reef Light Ship E. J S. ? 
distance 8 miles. 



32 YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 

ENTRANCE TO VINEYARD SOUND AND BUZZARD'S BAY. 

Gay Head Light bears from the S.E. Point Block Island 
Light E. f N., distance 34|- miles, and from Br enters Reef 
Light Ship E. by S. f S., distance 25 miles. The Sow and 
Pigs, or Vineyard Sound Light Ship, bears from Block Island 
North Point Light E. f N., distance 28J miles, and from 
Point Judith Light E. i S., distance 22J miles. The Hen 
and Chickens Light Ship bears from Point Judith E. \ N., 
distance 21 J miles, and from Brenten's Reef Light Ship it 
bears E. -J- S., distance 16i miles. The Vineyard Sound L : ght 
Ship bears from Brenten's Reef Light Ship E. by S. i S., dis- 
tance 17f miles. 

The Light Ship off Davis South Shoal bears from Point 
Judith about SE. by E. -J E., distance 80 miles; this course 
from Point Judith will carry you just South of No Man's 
Land. This Light Ship bears from Sankyty Head Light S. J 
E., distance 22 miles. 

Sailing Directions for Westport Harbor. — When one-fourth 
of a mile West of the Spindle on Hen and Chickens Reef, 
steer N.W. by N. \ N. You will first pass the red buoy on 
Lumber Rock on your starboard hand ; it is distant from the 
Spindle \\ miles; you will next make the black buoy that is 
South of the Two Mile Rock, and distant from Lumber Rock 
buoy If miles ; when near this black buoy, keep off to the 
Northward, and bring the Rock that is at the mouth of the 
River to bear NW., when you will run for it, passing the red 
buoy on Half Mile Shoal on your starboard hand, and passing 
the entrance Rock about 150 to 200 feet on your port hand; 
keep off the port shore about that distance until to the H. S. 
buoy on the Middle Ground, and if bound to Westport, pass 
it on your port hand. 

If from the Westward, make the Two Mile Rock buoy 
(black), pass it on your port, and observe the directions 
given. 

Note this: Do not get within one-fourth of a mile of the 
Two Mile Rock buoy (black), when NE. of it. 



YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 33 

To pass over the Hen and Chickens Shoal North of the 
Spindle one mile. Steer from Lumber Rock buoy E. i N., 
and you will carry from 8 to 10 feet at low water. This 
course will bring you just South of Mishaum Ledge buoy, 
distant from Lumber Rock 4 miles. 

CUTTYHUNK HARBOR 

This is a good place of refuge with the wind from any 
quarter but from N.NE. to E.NE. To enter this Harbor 
from the Westward, bring the NE. Point of Cuttyhunk 
Island to bear from S.SE. to E. by N., and run for it until 
within one-eighth of a mile of the Point, when you will keep 
about East, passing North of a red buoy that bears E. by N. 
from the Point. This is Whale Rock buoy; NW. by N. from 
this buoy is a black buoy on the Middle Ground; this passage 
is between the two. 

Little East of Whale Rock is a buoy on Edwards Rock, H.S. 
You will leave that on your starboard hand, then steer about 
S. by E., until past the red buoy on Pease. Ledge, when you 
will have good anchorage in from 2 to 4 fathoms of water. 

Another direction is to run pretty close to the SW. part of 
Penikese Island, and steer S.SE. \ E., passing the Middle 
Ground black buoy on your starboard hand a good berth, and 
the Middle Ledge buoy on your port; the latter is an H. S. 
buoy. Gull Island Ledge, a black buoy, bears from this 
H. S. buoy E. by N. \ N. When coming in here from the 
Eastward, you only have to pass between the NW. Point of 
Nashawena Island and the buoy off the South end of Gull 
Island, then steer about SW. \ W. ; there is good beating 
room, and plenty of water. 

BUZZARD'S BAY AND NEW BEDFORD. 

When the Hen and Chickens Light Ship bears NW. by N., 
distance 2^ miles, and Sow and Pigs Light Ship bears S. by 
W. \ W., distance li miles, the course to Wings Neck Light 
is NE. i E., distance 21f miles. This course, if made good, 
carries clear of all Ledges and Shoals to above Wings Point 



34 YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 

Light. Pass this Light on your starboard hand, and continue 
on the above course until you are up to a black buoy, passing 
it on your port hand. If bound up the Bay any farther, it 
will be best to anchor near this buoy for a pilot. You will 
pass Bird Island Light on this course ; it bears from Wings 
Neck W. i S., distance 2f miles. 

Cutty hunk Light bears from Wings Neck Light SW., dis- 
tance 18 miles. 

If bound into Sippican Harbor, get Bird Island Light to 
bear NE. by N., distance f of a mile, then steer N. by W. % 
W., distance 2f miles; you will pass black buoy No. 1 on 
your port hand, and when you get to black buoy No. 3, it will 
be well to get a pilot. 

If bound into Wareham ; after passing Bird Island Light 
one mile, it bearing W. -J N., steer N. -J W. up to the Northeast 
side of Great Hill ; distance from the Light, 1^ miles. From 
this to the town a good pilot is needed. 

NEW BEDFORD HARBOR 

The Dumpling Rock Light bears from the Hen and Chick- 
ens Light Ship NE. \ E., distance 7-J- miles. Mishaum Ledge 
is on this line of bearing about midway between the two 
Lights. (Least water on this ledge is 8 feet.) Therefore, 
when running for Dumpling Light from near the Light Ship 
do not keep to the North of N.E. by E. the first three or four 
miles. From the buoy on this ledge you can keep directly 
for Dumpling Light, and only give it a berth of 300 or 400 
feet. You will pass a red buoy on your starboard hand that 
is on a sand shoal about South from the Light, distance i a 
mile. There is also a black buoy just South of the Light, 
near to it. When to the Dumpling Light, steer NE. by 
N., distance 2-J- miles, or until Clark's Point Light bears 
North, when you will steer N. by E. | E. toward a red buoy 
on Egg Island Flats, and little South of a black buoy that is 
on Butler's Flats, which you will pass on your port hand, and 
then steer N.NW., leaving the red buoy and the beacon on 



YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 35 

Egg Island Flats on your starboard hand ; on this course you 
will first pass a black buoy that is nearly a mile from the 
Butler's Flat buoy ; then little North of this you will pass 
between a red and a black buoy ; from these the course is 
about North, on which you will pass a red buoy, then the 
black buoy that is close to Palmer's Island Light, which you 
leave on your port. The best place to anchor is just North 
of the ferry landing. 

Direction No. 2 for Neiv Bedford Harbor. — From the Hen 
and Chickens Light Ship steer NE. by E. ^ E., until Clark's 
Point Light bears North, when it will be in range with 
Palmer's Island Light ; keep the Lights on this bearing 
(North) until within about one mile of Clark's Point, when 
you will observe the first direction. 

Direction No. 3. — Steer the course given above from the 
Light Ship until Clark's Point Light bears NW. by N. i N., 
then keep it on this bearing until within one-half mile of it, 
when you will observe the first directions given. 

As the ledges are quite numerous off New Bedford Harbor, 
I will give the position of the principal ones that will need be 
passed in entering the harbor. 

Wilkes' Ledge H. S. buoy bears from Dumpling Light 
S. i E., distance If miles. (Ten feet the least water on 
this ledge.) Great Ledge bears from Clark's Point Light 
S. i W., distance 3-J- miles, and E. J S., distance one mile, 
from Dumpling Light; there is a black buoy on the East and 
a red buoy on the West side of this ledge. (Least depth of 
water 7 feet.) 

Decatur Rock, Church Rock, and Phinny Rock buoys, all 
bear nearly S. J E. from Clark's Point. The first, Decatur 
Rock buoy, is red, distance If miles ; Church Rock buoy lies 
little South of this, and is red ; Phinny Rock buoy is black ; 
distance from the Light 2f miles. 

North Ledge buoy (black) bears from Clark's Point S. by 
E. J E., distance 3^ miles. 



36 YACHTMAN AND COASTER^S REFERENCE BOOK. 

Mosher Ledge buoy (red) bears from Clark's Point SE. J 
E., distance 2 J miles. Henrietta Rock buoy (H. S.) is on 
the same bearing, distance If miles from the Light Packet 
Rock buoy (black) bears from the Light SE. J E., distance 
1J miles. 

Quick's Hole .Passage bears from Clark's Point Light S. J E., 
distance 8 J miles. Directly off this passage, in Buzzard's Bay, 
distance f of a mile from the land, there is a Lone Rock buoy ; 
there is 8 feet of water on this rock. By keeping Gay Head 
Light open East of the SE. point of Nashawena Island, you 
will pass the East side of this rock* 

There is no obstruction in this passage except a ledge on 
the East side, about midway of each entrance ; there is a buoy 
(red) on this ledge. If you steer South on the first half of 
the passage, and SE. J E. after passing the buoy, you will 
go all clear. S. by E. is the only straight course through 
here. The flood-tide runs through here from Buzzard's Bay 
into the Yineyard Sound. 

THE RELATIVE BEARINGS AND DISTANCES OF THE LIGHTS 
IN YINEYARD SOUND AND NANTUCKET SHOALS. 

These bearings must not be mistaken for sailing directions. — 
Gay Head bears from Montauk Point Light E. by N., distance 
48J miles. From the west end of Cuttyhunk Island to Pollock 
Rip Light Ship by the Ship Channel, the distance is 49 miles. 

Gay Head Light bears from the Sow and Pigs Light Ship SE. 
by E. J E., distance 7 miles, and from Cuttyhunk Light SE. \ 
S., distance 6 J miles. Tarpaulin Cove Light bears from Gay 
Head NE. by N., distance %\ miles; the West End of No 
Man's Land bears from Gay Head S. \ W., distance 5i miles. 
Nobska Point Light bears from Tarpaulin Cove E.NE., dis- 
tance 5f miles. Holmes' Hole, or West Chop Light, bears 
from Tarpaulin Cove E. J S., distance 7-J- miles, and from 
Nobska Light it bears SE. J S., distance 3 \ miles. East 
Chop Light bears from West Chop SE. by E. i E., distance 
1J miles. 



YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 37 

Succonnessett Shoal Light Ship bears from Nobska Light 
E. J S., distance 10 miles, and from West Chop Light 
E. by N. J- N., distance 8J- miles, and from Cape Poge Light 
it bears N. by E. J E., distance 7 miles. Cross Hip Light 
Ship bears from Holmes' Hole Light E. by S. J S., distance 
14 miles, and from Cape Poge Light it bears E. \ N., distance 
7J miles. Cape Poge bears from East Chop Light SE. \ E., 
distance 6 miles, and from Nobska Light SE. \ E., distance 
lOf miles. 

Nantucket Harbor, or Brant Point Light, bears from Cross 
Rip Light Ship SE. by S. J S., distance 121 miles ; the 
Handkerchief Light Ship bears from Cross Rip E. J N., dis- 
tance 101 miles ; Nantucket Great Point Light bears from Cross 
Rip SE. by E. J E., distance Hi miles, and from Handker- 
chief Light Ship S. i W., distance 5f miles ; Butler's Hole 
Light Ship bears from the Handkerchief NE. by E. i E., 
distance 4 miles ; Butler's Hole bears from Nantucket Point 
Light N.NE. J E., distance Smiles ; Pollock Rip Light Ship 
bears from Butler's Hole E. by S. J S., distance 3i miles, 
and from Nantucket Point it bears NE., distance 10 miles; 
Monomoy Point Light bears from Butler's Hole Light Ship 
N. | E., distance 1J miles ; Pollock Rip Light Ship bears from 
Monomoy Light SE. 1 E,, distance 31 miles; Chatham Lights 
(two) bear from Pollock Rip N. \ E., distance 8 miles; San- 
katy Head Light bears from Pollock Rip Light Ship S. by W. 
1 W.-, distance 15 miles. 

The Bishop and Clerks' Light is 4J- miles S. by E. from 
Hyannis Light ; it bears from Cross Rip Light Ship N.NE. 
£ E., distance 7f miles, and from Handkerchief Light Ship 
NW. i W., distance 9i miles; Succonnessett Light Ship bears 
from it W. i S., distance 8 i miles. 

Directions for Entering Hyannis Harbor from the West- 
ward. — Steer past Nobska Light E. by N. 1 N., distance from 
it from one-half to one mile, until Succonnessett Shoal Light 
Ship bears E. 1 S., distance about 6 miles, when you will run 
for it on your port bow, passing it on that hand ; when about 



38 YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 

one mile East of it, steer E. by N. f N. about 6 miles, when 
Hyannis Light will bear N. by E. £ E., distance 2| miles; 
then run for it on that bearing until the East end of the 
Breakwater bears W. by N., then haul up about N.NW. or 
N. by W., and you will find good anchorage in three fathoms 
of water. When you haul up N. by E. i E. for the Light, you 
should have the buoy on W.SW. Ledge on your port, and be 
pretty near it ; this is a bell buoy in summer and spar buoy 
in winter ; it lies in the range of the East end of the Break- 
water and Hyannis Light. This direction will take you North 
of L' Homme Dieu Shoal. 

Another direction that will take you between L' Homme 
Dieu and Hedge Fence Shoals is, to get Nobska Light to bear 
W. | N., then steer E. f S., keeping it directly over your 
stern until Succonnessett Light Ship bears NE. f E., then 
steer E. by N. f N., and observe other directions. On this 
course you should pass a black buoy on Eldridge's Shoal on 
your starboard hand. It bears from the Light Ship SE. by 
E. | E., distance £ of a mile. 

If bound to Hyannis from the Eastward, steer from the 
Handkerchief Light Ship NW. £ W. toward the Bishop 
and Clerk Light, passing it on your port hand, distance § of 
a mile ; continue on this course until Hyannis Light bears 
N. by E. £ E., then as before directed. 

A proper attention must be given to the current when on 
these courses across the tide. 

Directions for Entering Edgartown Harbor. — When off the 
Oak Bluff Dock £ to -J- of a mile, steer SE. i E., or directly 
for Cape Poge Light (you will be South of Squash Meadow 
Shoal on this bearing). When Edgartown Light bears SW. 
| S. you will steer S.SW. until the Light bears West \ you 
will then gradually haul toward it, passing the red buoy off 
the Light on your starboard hand. When in past the Light, 
the shore on the port is quite bold until around the point. 
There is good anchorage W. by S. from the Light. Care must 



YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 39 

be taken when coming from the Westward, and not let Cape 
Poge Light bear East of SE. by E. until you get Edgartown 
Light to bear SW. f S. 

When coming from the Eastward, steer from Cross Hip 
Light Ship W. J N., keeping it bearing E. £ S. until Cape 
Poge Light bears S. J E., when Edgartown Light will heai* 
SW. ; then run in for it on this bearing until Cape Poge 
bears E., when you will keep the Light open more on 
your starboard bow to pass the Point buoy ; the course in 
after passing this buoy is W. by N. If beating into Edgar- 
town, tack ship when the bottom changes from sticky to 
hard. 

Directions for Nantucket Harbor. — If from the Westward, 
when East of Cross Hip Light Ship, steer SE. i E., distance 
5i miles, to clear the East end of Tuckernuck Shoal, on which 
there is a buoy; from this steer -S. by E. J E., distance 6 
miles, to the bell buoy. 

I will here give the Coast Survey directions for entering the 
harbor ; but a careful attention to the Black and Red buoys 
will be as sure as any direction aside from them, as the buoys 
are changed to suit the channel ; keeping as in all cases the 
Black on the port, and the Red on the starboard, going into a 
harbor. 

There are two small pyramidal wooden structures, 300 feet 
apart, NW. and SE. and NW. by W. i W. from Brant Point 
Light. The following are correct guides for entering the harbor 
of Nantucket in 1876 : Bring the Cliff Beacon Lights (red and 
white) in range, and run for them, passing near the bell buoy 
in 3 fathoms water ; keep on this course until up with the 
Red Buoy No. 2 on the outer bar (the course on this range is 
SW. i S.) ; then steer for Brant Point Light S. by E., 
passing the red buoys Nos. 4 and 6 ; then for Red Cliff beacon 
light SW. by S. J S. until the rear beacon and Brant Point 
Lights are in range ; then steer on this range, passing the red 
buoys (outer, middle, and inner black, flat buoys Nos. 8, 10, 



40 YACHTMAN AND COASTER^ REFERENCE BOOK. 

and 12). The course on this range will be SE. by S. \ S., 
passing Brant Point within 100 fathoms, and steer SW. for 
the anchorage in from 2 to 3 fathoms, soft bottom. 

IN VINEYARD SOUND AND OYER NANTUCKET SHOALS. 

The main part of the flood tide sets to the Eastward, and 
the ebb to the Westward. In steering courses that run much 
North or South of East and West, careful attention should 
be paid to the direction of the current and the wind. 

At Pollock Pip Light Ship the tide changes from East to 
Westward 2i hours before South Moon, and at Holmes' Hole a 
little before South Moon ; thus a South Moon brings it about 
high water in the Vineyard Sound and on the Shoals. The 
flood tide runs through Quick's Hole from Buzzard's Bay into 
the Vineyard Sound about S. by E. ; ebb the opposite direc- 
tion. 

Sailing Directions for Vineyard Sound and Nantucket 
Shoals. — When the Vineyard Sound Light Ship bears N. by 
W., distance If miles, and Cuttyhunk Light bears N.NE., 
distance about 3 miles, steer E. by N. | N., you will pass 
about 3 miles North of Gay Head, and one mile South of 
Tarpaulin Cove Light on this course. When Nobska Light 
bears NW. by W., steer SE. by E. about 5 miles, or until 
West Chop, or Vineyard Haven Light, bears W. by N. i N. ; 
when you will steer E. by S. i S., for Cross Rip Light Ship 
distance 14 miles from West Chop. Cape Poge Light should 
be passed about 4 miles distant on this course. After pass- 
ing Cross Pip Light Ship two miles on the above course, 
steer E. 1 N., to the Handkerchief Light Ship, distance from 
this point 8 J miles ; when past the Handkerchief, steer NE. 
by E. | E., for the Shovelfull or Butler s Hole Light Ship, 
distance 4 miles, passing her on the port hand; then haul to 
E. by S. i S. for Pollock Pip Light Ship, distance 3 J miles ; 
if you wish to pass out by the ship channel, pass the Light 
Ship on your port hand, and continue on this course until you 
pass a red buoy on your port, and an H. S. buoy on your star- 
board hand, distance from the Light Ship 2 miles. Chatham 



YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 41 

Lights should bear N. by W. 4 W., when you will be clear of 
the broken parts of Pollock Rip. 

If you wish to pass through the Northern Slue, when to the 
Light Ship pass her on your starboard hand, and steer NE. 
by N. i NY; this will take you through in 3 fathoms at low 
tide. There is a buoy bearing North from the Light, distance 
one-half a mile, and one N.NE. from the Light Ship, both of 
them to be passed on your port hand; but the one that is 
N.NE. from the Light Ship should be passed close by. 

Chatham Lights bear N. \ E. from Pollock Rip Light 
Ship, distance 8 miles. 

VINEYARD HAVEN. 

Ill entering this harbor, give the middle ground shoal a 
good berth, and the point off the West Chop Light; there is 
a red buoy on the point East of the Light, distance f of a 
mile. The buoy on the East end of the middle ground 
bears from the Light NW., distance nearly 4 a mile. The 
shoal extends about 5 miles from this buoy W. by S., with 
water on it varying from 2 feet to 15; the shoalest partis 
near the East end. There is a good passage South of the 
middle ground shoal. 

LONG DISTANCES AND COURSES FROM POLLOCK RIP LIGHT 
SHIP OFF MONOMOY POINT. 

From Pollock Rip Light to Cape Elizabeth Lights, near 
Portland, the distance is 120 miles, course NE. by N. 4 N. 
for 84 miles until Chatham Lights bear West, then N. 4 E. 
to Cape Elizabeth. From Pollock Rip to Manheigan Island 
the course is NE. by N. | N., distance 136 miles. 

From Pollock Rip to Mount Desert Rock Light NE. i N., 
distance 165 miles. Machias Seal Islands bear from Pollock 
Rip NE. 4 E., distance 215 miles. This Island lies W.SW.,. 
distance 11 miles from the West end of Grand Menan Island. 

From Pollock Rip to the Seal Islands, off the SW. end of 
Nova Scotia, the course is E. by N. 4 N., distance 203 miles. 



42 Y AC HTM AN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 

It is not expected that either a sailing craft or steamer can 
make this a sure run, as the tides and winds vary the course 
so much. I give these as their relative position. 

COURSES, BEARINGS, AND DISTANCES FROM POLLOCK 

RIP TO MASSACHUSETTS AND BOSTON BAYS, 

WITH SOME SAILING DIRECTIONS. 

If bound to Boston, the course from Pollock Rip Light Ship, 
is NE. by N. J N. 8i miles, when Chatham Lights (two) will 
bear West, then the course is N. \ E., distance 11$ miles, 
when Nauset Lights (three) will bear West, then N. by W., 
distance 1-1 miles; the Highland Cape Cod Light will then 
bear SW., the course from here to Boston Light is NW. by 
W. i W., distance 40 miles. 

If you wish to go into Provincetown Harbor, when Race 
Point Light bears SW., then haul up W. by S. until it bears 
East I of a mile distance, then run S.SE. \ E. until Cape 
Cod Light opens south of Wood End Light, or Wood End 
Light bears E. J N. 1J miles distance, then run E. by S. J S. 
until Race Point Light opens Northeast of this Light, or this 
Light bears NW. by N., then run NE. by E. J E. until Long 
Point Light bears NW. -f of a mile distance, then run North 
until Wood End is in range with it, or it bears SW. by W. \ 
W., then run W. by N., and anchor in 4 to 8 fathoms with 
Wood End Light bearing SW. by iS, i S., and Long Point 
Light bearing SE. f E. ; there is a fogbell here. At Long 
Point there is a bell, and on Race Point a steam fog whistle, 
and a Daboll fog trumpet at the Highland Light, as described 
in the Index. 

PLYMOUTH, KINGSTON, AND DUXBURY. 

If you are bound to Plymouth, Kingston, or Duxbury, 
when Race Point Light bears SW. 5 steer W. f S., distance 
19 miles, to Gurnet Point Lights ; then follow these direc- 
tions : These Lighthouses consist of two octagonal wooden 
towers, 31 feet apart, ranging NW. and SE., and serve as a 
range to clear Brown's Bank, coming from Southward and 
Eastward, and as a guide into Plymouth Harbor, Kingston, 



YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 43 

and Duxbury. In coming from the Northward bound to 
Plymouth, you must not bring the Lights to bear South of 
S. by W. to clear High Pine Ledge, which lies about 2i 
miles North of the Gurnet ; off this ledge there is a spar-buoy 
(red No. 6). When in the channel abreast of these Lights, 
run up W. i S. for Duxbury Pier Light, and leave it on the 
starboard hand in running in. 

From South and East, bring Gurnet Lights in range until 
Duxbury Pier Light bears W. i S., when you will be midway 
between the Lights and the nun buoy on Brown's Island Shoal ; 
then steer W. by S. until Duxbury Pier bears W. by N., when 
you will be midway between red buoy No. 6 and black buoy 
No. 5 ; then steer W. \ N., pass between red buoy No. 8 and 
black buoy No. 7, leaving Duxbury Pier Light one-half cable's 
length on starboard hand ; then steer North and anchor under 
the lee of Muscle Bank, in from 5 to 8 fathoms of water, or 
continue on same course between red buoy No. 10 and black 
buoy No. 9, and anchor in the Cow- Yard, in from 4 to 5 
fathoms water. This is a good harbor for vessels overtaken 
in Easterly storms. Depth of water in channel at low tide, 
18 feet. 

BARNSTABLE. 

If bound to Barnstable, after you are West of Race Point 
steer S. by W., distance 18 J miles, up near the buoy off the 
bar * when coming in, bring Sandy Neck Light to bear SW. 
by S. \ S., and steer for it, passing close to Bar buoy (red 
No. 2) ; then SW. by W. \ W., for black buoy No. 1, leaving 
it on the port hand ; then for the Light, rounding the Point, 
giving it a berth of half a cable's length. There is 7 feet of 
water on the bar at low tide. Anchorage near Light in 3 
fathoms of water. 

WELLFLEET. 

If you wish to go to Wellfleet from off Race Point, steer 
S. by E. until Billingsgate Island Light bears E. by N. \ N., 
distance 4i miles, and Sandy Neck Light bears SW. by 
W. \ W., nearly 9 miles ; then you will be at or near Billings- 
gate Shoal ; from this haul up East, and the first buoy is 



44 YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 

nearly 5 miles distant, or to the Light, bearing S. by E. The 
buoys or a pilot must then be depended on, it being quite a 
shoal-water harbor. 

BOSTON" BAY AND HARBOR. 

Minor's Ledge Light bears from Boston Light S.E. J E., dis- 
tance 7 miles ; the bell buoy off Hardin's Ledge bears from 
Boston Light SW. i S., distance 2^ miles. 

Directions -to Enter Boston Harbor. — When running in for 
Boston Light, keep it within the bearings of NW. by W. to 
W. i N. ; this will give Hardin's Ledge on the port a good berth, 
and will clear the Egg, or Shag Rocks on the starboard hand. 

Keep Boston Light well on the starboard bow, passing South 
of it one-half a mile, and when it bears North, steer W. i N., 
passing Nash's Rock buoy on the starboard hand (this buoy 
bears from Boston Light SW., distance f of a mile) ; continue 
on this course until Long Island Head Light opens West of 
the Narrows Light (red) ; you will then gradually haul up 
for this Beacon Light (a screw-pile structure), passing close 
by it on your starboard hand ; then steer NW. J W. until 
to the East end of Gallup Island, which will be right ahead 
on this course ; from this point steer NW. by W. until Long 
Island Head Light is in range with the Beacon or Nick's Mate, 
or it bearing West ; you will then slowly work up to W. by 
N., passing midway of Long Island Head and the beacon on 
Deer Island Point ; from £his steer W. by North for Castle 
Island, or Fort Independence ; when up to black buoy No. 7, 
or between that and red buoy No. 8, steer NW. i N., passing 
the black buoy No. 9 on your port ; from this buoy the course 
to Long Wharf is NW. J W. 

There is an automatic whistling buoy off the Graves, in 
place of the bell buoy formerly there. It bears from Boston 

Light NE. by N., distance 2| miles. 

If you should make this buoy in a fog, or at night, from 
one-eighth of a mile East of it, steer South until Boston Light 



YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 45 

bears W. i N., before hauling in for it; or bring it in range 
with Long Island Head Light, and run in for it. These bear- 
ings will take you clear of Shag Rocks. 

The Graves buoy bears from Egg Rock Light S. by E., dis- 
tance 4 miles. 

There is good anchorage to the Westward of Long Island 
Head Light. 

When going in past Boston Light, you can pass within 
one- eighth of a mile of it if you like (leaving Nash's Rock 
buoy on your port hand) ; then steer West one mile to red 
buoy No. 6, when you will keep the Narrows Light on your 
starboard bow, and observe the other directions. 

The Narrows Light bears from . Boston Light about West, 
distance If miles. 

Long Island Head Light bears from the Narrows Light 
NW. by W. | W. distance If miles. This bearing is right 
over Gallup Island. The buoys on the Centurion bear from 
Boston Light W. by S. j- S., distance li miles, and from 
the Narrows Light they bear SE. f S., distance f of a 
mile. It is hardly necessary to give the buoys in detail as 
they are passed ; by following the courses given, it will be 
very plain work to follow the channel by observing the posi- 
tion and color of the buoys as you make them. 

The beacon off Point Allerton bears from Boston Light 
S. by E., distance J of a mile* there is a black buoy outside 
of the beacon. This beacon bears from Harding's Ledge bell 
buoy W.NW., distance If miles. 

If running for Boston, Salem, Marblehead, or Gloucester 
Harbors, and. overtaken by the fog, do not get into less than 
twenty fathoms of water, but if you find yourself in less water 
than that, steer East until .you deepen it, as this course will 
take you clear of everything anywhere in Boston Bay, if near 
to the twenty fathom line. 



46 YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 

BOSTON HARBOR FROM BROAD SOUND. 

After passing Egg Rock Light, and Nahant Head, work in 
to the Westward, and get the Narrows Light (Red) to bear S. 
by W. £ W. Egg Island Light will be directly over your 
stern, when heading for the Narrows Light on this bearing, 
which you will keep on until Long Island Head Light bears W. 
by S. £ S., distance 2 miles, when you will be to or very near 
the black buoy No. 3, that is on the West 'side of Aid ridge's 
Ledge. From near this buoy the course to steer is W. by S. ; 
keeping Long Island Light on the port bow, and as you ap- 
proach it, pass midway of it and the Deer Island beacon. 
On this last (W. by S.) course, you will pass the black buoy 
(No. 5) that is on the Ram Head Shoals. When you are to 
Long Island Head, observe the other directions given. 

The above directions will take you in as good water as that 
passage affords. 

To Enter Nantasket Roads. — When up to Boston Light, 
and it bearing North, distance f of a mile, steer W. |- S., 
which will bring you near to the buoys on the Centurion ; 
pass these on your starboard hand, then steer W.SW. until 
Long Island Light opens clear of the SW. part of George's 
Island, then haul up toward that Light and run in for the 
anchorage anywhere to the Westward of Fort Warren, which 
is on George's Island. 

HHSTOHAM HARBOR. 

After you pass the Centurion buoys, steer SW. by W. 
until you open the passage between Hull and Paddock's Island, 
you will then haul in and pass between the two, keeping little 
nearer to the land on the port hand ; then steer S. by E. \ E. 
toward a black buoy which you will leave on your port hand ; 
from this buoy steer SE. by S. \ S. toward the West end of 
Bumkin Island, distant from this buoy three-eighths of a 
mile ; passing this island on your port, you will continue on 
about the same course, and pass between a red and a black 
buoy, but you should haul around near to the red one, and 
steer South by East for Crow Point, which is distant from the 



YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 47 

red buoy nearly three-fourths of a mile. After passing Crow 
Point, let your course come little more to the Eastward, and 
when Chandler's Island bears North, and Sailors' Island 
South, it will be as well to hold on for a pilot. 

QUINCY OR WEYMOUTH. 

When you are between Paddock's Island and Hull (or Nan- 
tasket), steer S. by W. until Pig Rock Beacon bears SW. J 
W., when you will steer for it until between Prince's Head on 
the starboard, and Sheep Island on your port hand ; then run S. 
by E. i E. until the West end of Sheep Island bears NE. J N. ; 
you will then steer SW. \ S., passing between a red and a 
black buoy, distance from the island 1| miles. This is a good 
place to hold on for a pilot. 

Another Direction to Get to this Place. — When Fort Warren, 
or George's Island, bears North i of a mile, steer SW. f W., 
toward a red buoy that lies W. by S. 1 S., distance J mile from 
the West end of Paddock Island ; when near to this buoy, steer 
SE. f E., making a little curve to the Southward, and passing 
Pig Rock Beacon on your starboard hand ; then keep toward 
Sheep Island, and observe the directions given above. 

Boston Bay, and Eastward. — Cape Ann, or Thatcher Island 
Lights, bears from Boston Light NE. £ E., distance 23 miles. 

From the Highlands, or Cape Cod Light, they bear N. f W., 
distance 41 miles. 

Eastern Point Light bears from Long Island Head Light 
NE. i E., distance about 19^ miles. 

Directions for Marblehead Harbor. — Halfway Rock bears 
from Marblehead Light E. by S. f S., distance 2-f miles. 
(There is a beacon on this rock.) 

After passing this rock, which you leave some distance on 

your starboard hand, bring Marblehead Light to bear W. by 

N. i N., and run for it, passing Marblehead Rock on your port 

hand, and when it (the rock) bears SW., steer NW. until 

the Light bears S. by W., then steer SW. % W. into the harbor. 
4 



48 YACHTMAN AND COASTER' S REFERENCE BOOK, 

Salem Harbor.— When coming from the Southward, bring 
Baker's Island Lights to bear NW,, then bring the low Light 
in sight little East of the high Light, and run for it. 

This will take you to the Eastward of the Southeast break- 
ers, outer breakers, and Searl's Rock. Give Baker's Island a 
wide berth, leaving it on the port hand, and bring Hospital 
Point Light to bear from W. by N. i N. to W. by N. f N., 
and run for it. This course will take you up channel between 
Misery Ledge and Bowditch Beacon. 

When Fort Pickering Light is in range with the Light on 
Derby's wharf up the harbor (they bearing SW. by W. ^ W.), 
then run in and find good anchorage SW. by S. from Fort 
P. Light, and Derby's Wharf Light, bearing W. by S. 

The Hospital Point Light at Beverly has a lens placed in 
the line of the center of the main ship channel, making a 
more brilliant fixed Light on that line than on either side of 
it, and serves as a guide to vessels in mid-channel, clear of 
dangers on either side. 

The Southeast Breaker, which is the outermost ledge from 
Baker's Island, has on it a red buoy. It bears from Baker's 
Island Lights SE. by S. i S., distance nearly one mile, and 
from Halfway Rock it bears NE. f E., distance \ mile. 

You can run in for Baker's Island Lights with them bearing 
from NW. to W. by S. 

FOR GLOUCESTER OR CAPE ANN HARBOR. 

When coming from the Eastward, bound into Gloucester 
Harbor, give Eastern Point Light a good berth to clear. East- 
ern Point Ledge, near which is a spar buoy (red No. 2), which 
bears from the Light SW. f S., \ of a mile distant; when 
near this buoy or the Light bears NE, f N., run NW. J N., 
until Ten Pound Island Light bears N.NE. J E., then run for 
it until Eastern Point Light bears E.SE. (good anchorage 
here), or run NE. by E. f E. to the inner harbor. 



YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 49 

Ten Pound Island Light bears from Eastern Point N. by E., 
distance If miles. Cape Ann Light bears from Eastern Point 
NB. by E. i E., distance 5| miles. 

From the North Cape Ann Light, the East part of the Dry 
Salvages bear N.NE., distance 2 miles; Straitsmouth Island 
Light bears from the North Cape Ann Light N. by W., dis- 
tance If miles. The structure is a white octagonal tower, 
lantern black, with a plank walk over the rocks toward a one- 
story white dwelling. This is a local light for Rockport, and 
the channel inside, or West of the Dry Salvages, which you 
leave on your starboard hand when bound into Rockport, or 
into Ipswich Bay. The Dry Salvages, and the Flat Ground, 
bears from Straitsmouth Light from E. by N. \ N. to N.NE., 
distance 1 mile ; therefore this Light must not be approached 
within those bearings at night. 

There is a passage more than one-fourth of a mile wide 
between the Large Salvage Rock and the Flat Ground, which 
has a red buoy on the South end of it. Avery's Rock buoy 
(red) bears from this Flat Ground buoy SW. \ S., distance 
1-J- miles. Avery Rock has only 6 feet of water on it, and 
lies East of the buoy. It bears from Straitsmouth Light N. 
by E. i E., distance nearly f of a mile. 

The Londener Rock bears from Cape Ann Lights SE. by 
E., distance J a mile. There is a good passage between 
the Lights (or Thatcher's Island) and the Londener, on 
which there is a Spindle. There is a good passage for small 
vessels North of Thatcher's Island, but you should keep the 
island the best aboard. 

WHITE ISLAND LIGHT. 
White Island Light (one of the Isle of Shoals) bears 
from Cape Ann Lights N. \ E., distance 20 miles; Whale 
Rock Light, at the mouth of Portsmouth Harbor, bears from 
White Island Light N. by W. | W., distance 6J miles. 

On Cape Neddick, near York River, Me., there is a light to be 
established ; this cape bears from Boon Island Light NW. i 



50 YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 

W., distance 6 miles, and from White Island N. by E. f E. 
distance 12 miles. 

Boon Island bears from White Island NE. £ E., distance 
12 miles. 

Newburyport Harbor Lights bear from White Island SW. 
I W., distance 12 miles, and from Straitsmoutn Island Light 
they bear NW. by N., distance 13£ miles. 

The Newburyport Lights are in range for crossing the bar 
in the best water, and as there are constant changes of the 
channel, and the water quite shoal, I will only advise taking 
a pilot to enter the Merrimack River. 

THE ISLE OF SHOALS. 

White Island, on which the Lighthouse is situated, is the 
Southwestern Island of the group. There is only one obstruc- 
tion in running for or to this Light, within the bearings of 
NE. f E. to W. i S. (by the Southward), except Anderson's 
Ledge, which bears from the Light SE. by E. i E., distance 
nearly 1 mile. You can approach the Light East of it, close 
aboard, and on the West side, within f of a mile. 

The South shore of Star Island bears from White Island 
Light NE. by E. i E., distance little more than J of a mile. 
The West side of Lunging Island, i. e., Square Rock, bears 
from the West Ledge of White Island N. 4 E., distance 4 a 
mile. 

To Enter Gosport Harbor. — Bring White Island Light to 
bear S.SE., distance one mile, then steer E. by S. 4 S., dis- 
tance one mile, and you will be in from 5 to 8 fathoms of 
water (low tide) between Smuttynose Island and Star Island, 
and NW. of Cedar Island. Hog Island, or Appledore, the 
largest of the group, bears from this harbor N.NW. 

When coming from the Northward, give Appledore a little 
berth on your port hand, and enter the harbor steering SE. 
There is a passage between Appledore and Smuttynose by 
steering W. \ S., keeping Smuttynose best aboard. 



YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 51 

You can enter the harbor by passing White Island Light 
on your port hand close to it (distance -J of a mile), then 
steer N. \ E., leaving the Half Way Rocks buoy on your 
starboard hand. If the buoy is not seen, keep close to the 
SE. part of Lunging Island, and when past the island, you 
can haul to E. by S. for the harbor. If in a craft not draw- 
ing more than 5 or 6 feet of water, you can enter this harbor 
by passing between Star and Cedar Islands, keeping midway 
of the two. At high water, there is from 12 to 14 feet of 
water in this passage. 

Cedar Ledge bears from the Light E. } N., distance 1£ 
miles, and from this passage between Star and Cedar Island 
E.SE. i E., distance nearly \ a mile. 

Duck Island, and the Ledges surrounding it, bears from the 
Light from NE. \ N. to N.NE. £ E., distance 2f miles; and 
from Appledore Island to the middle of Duck Island, NE. \ N., 
distance -J of a mile. There is good sailing room between 
Appledore and Duck Islands, but give the latter a good berth. 

SAILING DIRECTIONS FOR PORTSMOUTH. 

When coming from the Westward bring the Light on the 
Isle of Shoals, i. e., White Island Light, to bear East, dis- 
tance 1| miles, then steer N. f W. Or you can bring Whale's 
Back Light to bear N. f E., distance -J of a mile, when Ports- 
mouth Light will bear N. {■ W., distance If miles ; you will 
run for it on this bearing until past Whale's Back Light. 
On this run you will pass Kitt's Rock buoy, about f of a mile 
on your starboard hand ; it bears from Whale's Back S. by 
E. f E., distance -J of a mile. When past Whale's Back 
Light, steer about N. i E., keeping Portsmouth Light on the 
port bow, passing it on that hand, and after you are well past 
the Light, haul gradually to W. £ N. for Fort Washington, 
and when you are where you can see the two South Ship 
Houses past the point of Seavy's Island (which is opposite Ft. 
Washington), haul up to N.NW. £ W., and you will pass on 
your port a Bk. buoy and a beacon ; then you can haul toward 
the docks. 



52 YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK, 

When approaching Portsmouth Harbor from the Eastward 
at night, bring Portsmouth Light to bear NW. | W., and run 
for it until White Island Light bears SW. by S., when you 
will steer W.NW. until Portsmouth Light bears N. | W., 
then you will be on the other directions given. 

If you run in here for a harbor you will find good anchor- 
age with Portsmouth Light bearing from S. by E. to SE. -J- E., 
distance from J to f of a mile. 

Between Whale's Back and Portsmouth Lights you will pass 
on your port a black buoy on Stielman's Rocks ; it bears about 
South from Portsmouth Light, distance £ of a mile. There 
is a black buoy on Cod Rock that bears from this Light N.N W., 
distance little more than ■§■ of a mile, and NE. ^ N., distance 
f of a mile from the Light. There is a red buoy off Fishing 
Islands. 

Gunboat Shoal bears from Whale's Back Light S. by W., 
distance 2| miles ; there are 4 fathoms of water on this shoal. 
Whale's Back bears from White Island Light N.NW. i N., 
distance 6£ miles. 

Boon Island Light bears from White Island, or Isle of 
Shoals, NE. J E., distance 12 miles, and from Cape Ann 
Lights it bears N.NE., distance 29 miles. 

Cape Elizabeth Lights bear from Cape Ann NE. by N. J N., 
distance 57 miles. 

Monhegan Island Light bears from Cape Ann NE. J E., 
distance 87 miles. 

Pemaquid Point Light bears from Monhegan Island Light 
NW. \ W., distance 9 J miles. 

Matinicus Rock Light, off Penobscot Bay, bears from Cape 
Ann NE. by E. £ E., distance 102 miles. 

Mount Desert Rock Light bears from Cape Ann E. by N. \ N., 
distance 133 miles. 



YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 53 

From Mount Desert Rock Light to Machias Seal Island 
the course is E. by N. f N., distance 54 miles. 

This course from Cape Ann to Monhegan Island will carry 
you in sight of Boon Island Light, also of Seguin Island Light. 
The course given for Matinicus Island from Cape Ann carries 
you in sight of Monhegan Island Light. 

The course to Mount Desert Rock Light carries you in sight 
of Matinicus Island Light. 

I do not propose to enter into a detail of all harbors and 
places of refuge on the coast of Maine, as it is not the pur- 
pose I had in view, neither could a small work of reference, 
as this is intended to be, do the subject the justice it demands. 

In running for Cape Elizabeth from near the Isle of 
Shoals, it is as safe to run the North side of Boon Island one 
mile or so, on account of Boon Island Ledge, that lies E. f S., 
distance 3 miles from the Light. There is a first-class Nun 
buoy on this Ledge. 

York Ledge will be passed on your port hand ; it bears from 
Boon Island Light W. I S., distance 5 miles. There is an 
iron spindle on this Ledge. 

Cape Porpoise Light bears from Boon Island N.NE., dis- 
tance 14 miles. Wood Island Light bears from Boon Island 
N.NE. | E., distance 20 miles. Cape Elizabeth bears from 
Boon Island NE. f N., distance 28 miles, and from Wood 
Island Light NE. by E., distance 8 J miles. 

SAILING DIRECTIONS FOR PORTLAND HARBOR. 

When coming from the Westward, if at night, do not ap- 
proach within three and one-half or four miles of Cape Eliza- 
beth Lights, on account of the East and West Hue and Cry 
Rocks, which bear from the Lights SE. f S., distance 3J miles. 
There is a black can buoy off the Southern part of these rocks. 
The Alden Rock and Corwin Rocks Buoys bear from this buoy 
about North, distance If miles, and from Cape Elizabeth 



54 YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 

Lights SE. by E. J E., distance 2 J- miles. There is only 
six feet of water on Alden's Rock. 

Keep outside of these dangers, and bring Portland Head 
Light to bear NW. by N., and steer for it on that bearing 
until within one-third of a mile of it, when you will keep up 
past it close aboard on your port hand, then steer N. by W. 
until to the black buoy off Spring Point, which you will 
pass on your port hand, and then steer NW. J W. until to 
another black buoy off the Breakwater Light ; you will haul 
around that buoy, keeping nearer to the City side of the 
Harbor. 

When running for Portland Harbor, if you should make 
one of these outside reef buoys at night, it would be best to 
pass South of it, as the reefs mostly lie to the Northward of 
the buoys. Give the H. S. buoys a good berth on either 
hand. 

There is an automatic signal whistling buoy, placed about 
one-half a mile to the Southward of Old Anthony Rock 
Buoy, which is an H. S. can. If you can make this signal 
buoy at night, run for it if to the Westward of it, and pass 
it close aboard on either hand, and steer NE. by N. until you 
get Portland Light to bear NW. by N., then proceed as before 
directed. 

This will take you to the Northward of the outside ledges. 

Old Anthony Rock Buoy bears from the Hue and Cry 
Buoy NW. by W., distance 1J miles, and from Alden's 
Rock Buoy, W.SW. distance If miles. 

Directions to Enter the Harbor North of these Rocks. — Haul 
well in toward Richmond Island, and when to the black 
buoy on Watts' Ledge (which buoy bears from Cape Eliza- 
beth Lights SW. J S., distance li miles), steer NE. until 
Portland Head Light bears NW. by N., when you will steer 
for it, and observe the above directions. 

On this course from Watts' Ledge Buoy, you will pass 



YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 55 

Taylor's Reef black buoy on your starboard hand, you will 
give it a good berth, as the buoy is on the South part of the 
reef. You can pass the Lights within one-eighth of a mile of 
the shore. 

Old Anthony Rock H. S. buoy bears from Watts' Ledge 
buoy E. by S. \ S., distance If miles, and from Cape Eliz- 
abeth Lights S. by E. i E., distance If miles. 

Directions for Portland from the Eastward. — When close 
in to Half Way Rock Light, bring Portland Head Light to 
bear West, and run for it, and you will pass Witch Rock 
buoy on your starboard hand, distance I of a mile, and little 
less than that distance South of Ram Island Ledge. When 
one-half a mile of Portland Light, steer NW. \ N. until 
past the buoy off the SW. point of Bang's Island. Then 
see other directions. 

Bulwark Rock, on which there is 14 feet of water, bears 
from Portland Head Light E.SE., distance 5i miles, and 
from Half Way Rock Light SW. by S., distance 4 miles. 

Jordan's Reef buoy, H. S., bears from Portland Light SE. 
i E., distance 1 mile. 

KENNEBEC RIVER. 

If from the Westward, when Halfway Rock Light bears 
North, distance 5 miles, steer NE. by E. i E. for Seguin 
Island Light until within one-fourth of a mile of it, when 
you will haul up N. by E. until Pond Island Light bears N. \ 
W., then steer about for it on your port bow, keeping it a 
little open as you approach the river. If the wind is strong 
from the northward, and you want to keep to the windward, 
you can go about one mile NW. of Seguin Light, passing 
just South of the Jackknife Ledge and Pond Island Bar 
buoys. This buoy on Pond Island bar, you leave on your 
port hand as you keep up for the river. It bears from Pond 
Island Light about South, distance f of a mile. 

If bound into the Kennebec from the Eastward, bring Seguin 



56 YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 

Island Light to bear W. f N., and run for it until Pond Island 
Light bears NW. J W., distance nearly 3 miles, then steer 
for it on this bearing until into the mouth of the river. On 
this last course (NW. J W.) you will pass Tom's Rock buoy 
on your starboard, and a black buoy on White's Ledge on 
your port hand. White's Ledge buoy bears frum Pond Island 
Light SE. ^ S., distance 1 mile. 

There is good anchorage NE. by E. from Pond Island Light, 
and East of Stage Island. 

To proceed up the river when East of Pond Island Light 
(close by it), steer N. | E. until you pass the spindle on the 
South Sugar Loaf, which you will leave on your port hand. 
The course then is NW. to the south point of Long Island. 
This spindle is distant from Pond Island three-eighths of a 
mile, and the South end of Long Island is distant from the 
spindle nearly three-fourths of a mile. The North Sugar 
Loaf is one-fourth of a mile above the spindle. 

After passing the South end of Long Island, the course 
is N. I E., passing close by Cox Head on your port hand, and 
to an H. S. buoy below Perkins Island; leave this buoy on 
your starboard, and when it is East of you,, the course 
is N. by E. J E. to a black buoy opposite the North end 
of this Island; leave this buoy on your port hand, and 
steer N. by E., distance 1J miles, to Bald Head (which 
is North of the entrance to Back River). When up to this 
Point, steer NW. by N. about one mile, you will pass a spin- 
dle on your port hand on this run ; when you come to this 
turn of the river, haul gradually to about N.NE., passing a 
spindle on your port, then Pettis Rocks on your starboard 
hand; N.NE. f E., distant three-fourths of a mile above 
this spindle, there is another spindle on the North end of Ram 
Island. You will leave this on your starboard hand. There 
is a good passage East of these rocks and Ram Island. 

From Ram Island Spindle to the buoy on Lithgow's Ledge, 
the general course is N. by E. J E., distance 2 J miles. This 
should be an H. S. buoy. 



YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 57 

From Ram Island Spindle to Lincoln Ledge, distance 4 
miles, there is no obstruction except Lithgow's Ledge, if you 
keep near the middle of the river, or the West side best 
aboard. 

Lincoln's Ledge is seven-eighths of a mile above Fiddler's 
Reach; the course through here is W.NW., then haul up to 
N. f E., passing Lincoln Ledge and Trufant Ledge buoys 
on your port hand. 

The distance from Pond Island Light to Bath is 11 nau- 
tical miles. 

Directions for Entering JEbencooh Harbor. — This harbor is on 
the Northwest end of Southport Island, East side of the 
entrance to Sheepscot River. 

Bring Seguin Island Light to bear W. f N., distance 2 J 
miles, when you can steer N. by E. J E. for Hendrick's Head 
Light, which is nearly 7 miles distant from this bearing of 
Seguin. When you are past Tom's Rock, which bears from 
Seguin NE. by E. f E., distance 2f miles, and the Sisters, 
that bear from Seguin NE. £ E., distance 2-f miles, you can 
bring Hendrick's Head Light within the bearings of NE. by 
N. J N. to N. f E. This last bearing will take you pretty 
near the Cat Ledges ; they bear S. \ W. from Hendrick's 
Head Light, distance 1£ miles. 

When you are up to these Ledges, keep the Light well open 
on your starboard bow, to clear the Cedar Bush Ledge that 
lies S. \ W., distance i of a mile from the Light. When up 
to the Light, if near to it, steer N. by E. \ E. until the 
entrance to the harbor opens south of Green Island ; this 
will clear a shoal spot of 16 feet, that is N. by E. \ E., dis- 
tance f of a mile from the Light, and \ of a mile from the 
shore. When the harbor entrance opens, you will steer 
about E. by S. until past the point of Green Island, then 
keep most any course you please North of East, and choose 
your anchorage. 



58 YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 

Bull's Ledge buoy, H. S., bears from Hendrick's Head Light 
N. by W. i W., distance nearly -J of a mile. Eight feet is the 
least water on this Ledge. 

Griffith Head Ledge bears from Hendrick's Head Light 
SW. by S., distance 2J miles ; this is an H. S. buoy. Least 
water 7 feet. 

When running for Seguin Island Light on the bearing given 
above, i. e., W. f N., do not get North of that, until past 
Bantam Rock, which bears East from the Light, distance 
about 6 miles, and from the South end of Damiscove Island 
it bears SW. by S. J S., distance If miles. 

Directions to Enter Booth Bay Harbor. — When Seguin Island 
Light bears W. f N. anywhere from 2 to 5 miles distant, 
you will steer for the beacon on the Cuckolds, passing it on 
your port hand ; when this beacon bears West from you, dis- 
tance i of a mile, steer N. by E. J E. directly for Burnt Island 
Light, passing West of Squirrel Island. Burnt Island is 
distant from the Cuckolds Beacon 2f miles. When up to 
Burnt Island, steer about N. by E., distance about 1 of a 
mile, when you will gradually haul to NE. by E. into the 
East Harbor, or Town's End ; or you can haul to N.NW., and 
anchor in West Harbor. 

If bound into Booth Bay from the Eastward, bring Pema- 
quid Point Light to bear North, distant 1J miles, when you 
can steer W. f N., directly for the South end of Squirrel 
Island. 

You will pass the Hypocrite Islands and Fisherman's Island 
on your port, and the Gangway Ledge buoy on your starboard 
hand. 

When about one-half a mile from Squirrel Island, or Burnt 
Island Light bears NW. by N. J N., you can haul up for it, 
passing East of Squirrel Island ; you will then observe the 
first directions. 



YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 59 

DIRECTIONS FOR ENTERING JOHN'S BAY AND RIVER. 

Bring Pemaquid Point Light to bear North, and run for it 
until within one-half mile of it, when you will haul to W. by 
N., distance f of a mile to about South of Pemaquid Point, 
which bears SW. by W. i W., distance one-half mile from the 
Light. When you open the bay past this point, steer N.|W. 
for John's Island, passing it on your starboard hand, and when 
West of it, (if close to it,) steer North, passing Thurston's 
Lodge, which is f of a mile North of John's Island on your 
starboard, and McFarlin's Ledge that is f of a mile NW. ■§- 
N. from John's Island on your port hand. After passing 
this Ledge keep up near the middle of the river. There is 
good anchorage on either hand, as you get up to where the 
river widens. 

If you want to stop in McFarlin's Cove, when you are just 
to the North end of Beaver Island (a small island little 
North of John's), you can steer W. \ N., passing close by 
Davis Island, where you will have good anchorage in 4 to 6 
fathoms of water. 

There is also a good harbor East of Beaver Island which 
you can enter by hauling around North of the island. There 
is a passage into it East of John's Island, and both sides of 
Knowles' Bock, but not very wide. 

When running for Pemaquid Light from the Southward, it 
will not do to let it bear East of NE. \ N., until well in to 
it, on account of Pemaquid Ledge, which bears from the 
Light SW. \ S., distance 1J miles ; there is 16 feet of water 
on it. 

Pemaquid Point Light bears from Monhegan Island Light 
NW. \ N., distance 9i miles. 

There is a Whistling Signal Buoy near the Duck P cks ; 
it bears from Monhegan Light N.NW. \ N., distance 1 mile. 

Sailing Directions for St. George's River. — When coming 
from the Westward, bring Monhegan Light to bear South, 



60 YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 

distance 2 miles, and steer NE. i N., for the SE. part of 
Burnt Island, which is 4J miles distant from this bearing of 
Monhegan. When to Burnt Island, you will haul up around 
it within i or J of a mile, then steer N. f E., until you 
make a red buoy on the Sisters ; you will pass it on your 
starboard hand, and when North of it, steer N. J E., or 
directly for the SE. point of Teals Island, distant from the 
Sisters buoy 1J miles ; when about one-eighth of a mile of 
this Island, steer NE. & E., toward Hooper's Point, 1| miles 
distant. 

There is an H. S. buoy on Channel Rock, one-quarter of a 
mile W. by N. from this point ; you can pass it on either 
hand, then steer N. I W. until the main part of the river 
opens to view, so that you can haul up to NE. J E. ; there 
are no obstructions, only near the shores, until above the 
Narrows, when you will see a black buoy on Bailey's Ledge ; 
pass this on your port hand, then keep up about NE. by E., 
or midway of the shores to St. George's Fort, where I will 
leave you. 

Another Direction to Enter St. George's River, when West of 
Monhegan Island. — Run in East of Pemaquid Point Light, 
and bring Franklin Island Light to bear within E.NE. to 
NE. by E., and run for it, passing it close aboard on your 
starboard hand. (Franklin Island Light bears from Pema- 
quid Light E. by N. i N., distance 6f miles, and from Mon- 
hegan Island Light N. i W., distance 8 miles.) When you 
are past Franklin Island Light, steer NE. by E. i E., and 
you will pass on your starboard hand a red buoy on Jenks' 
Ledge, distance from the Light 3 miles ; then seven-eighths 
of a mile farther in, you will pass on your port hand an 
H. S. buoy on Goose Ledge, next a Bk. buoy on the same 
hand. You will then be in the line of other directions given. 

Directions to Enter Herring Gut Harbor from the West- 
ward. — You will observe the first directions given for St. 
George's River until you are one-eighth of a mile above the 
red buoy on the Sisters. (This buoy is distant If miles, N. by 



YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 61 

E. \ E. from Burnt Island.) You will then keep directly for 
Marshall's Point Light, steering E. by N. f N., passing on 
your starboard hand a red buoy, which is distant from the 
Light three-eighths of a mile ; and when past this buoy, haul 
up to NE. \ N., and keep about midway of the shores, until 
up to the harbor. 

Another Direction to Enter Herring Gut is to steer about NE. 
past Burnt Island and Old Cilley Ledge, until Marshall's 
Point Light bears N. f W., when you will run about for it, 
passing close to Gunning Rocks ; they bear about S. by E. \ 
E. from the Light, distance f of a mile. From these Rocks 
keep the Light open on your starboard hand, and keep up to 
the harbor, as before directed. 

To Enter Herring Gut from the Eastward. — When close to 
the SW. point of Mosquito Island, steer NW. by W. J W., 
until you are near a buoy, which you pass on your right, then 
run about West, passing another buoy on the same hand, 
when you can haul up around Marshall's Point Light. Keep 
the middle of the river to the harbor. 

There is no obstruction in the way of running in for Burnt 
Island from just East of Monhegan, to Burnt Island bearing 
NW. J N. Burnt Island has the appearance of being nearly 
round, and is about f of a mile in diameter. Mosquito Island 
has about the same appearance, and is one-half a mile in 
diameter. It bears from Burnt Island NE. by E., distance 
4 miles. Both of these are the outermost islands of the shore 
group, and when running along the coast near to them, keep 
a little SE. of their line of bearings, and you will be clear of 
these ledges, i. e., the Old Man's Ledge, that bears SW. 
by W., distance 2 miles from Burnt Island, and Old Cilly 
Ledge, that bears NE. by E., distance 2 miles from Burnt 
Island. 

It is best to keep within two miles of the line of these two 
islands, and you will be all clear of the Roaring Bull, Hooper's 
Shoal, and Metinic Ledge. They lie about NE. and SW. 



62 YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 

from one another, and their extreme distance apart is 2-f 
miles. This course is North of them. 

Directions to Enter Tennant Harbor. — You can bring Ten- 
nant's Harbor Light to bear anywhere from N.NE. to 
W.N W. when to the Northward of Metinic and Green Islands, 
and run for it open on your port bow, passing it on that hand, 
and when the Light bears South, distance J of a mile, steer 
W. by N. J N. for a black buoy which you will leave on your 
port hand. You will have good anchorage just above this 
buoy. 

Tennant's Harbor Light bears from White Head Light 
W. | S., distance 2-J miles. 

Sailing Directions to Enter Penobscot Bay through Two Bush 
Channel. — Run in for White Head Light with it bearing NE. 
by E., and when Tennant's Harbor Light bears NW. by W. 
f W., run directly from it on that bearing, steering SE. by 
E. f E., distance about 3 miles, when White Head Light will 
bear NW. § N. If it is flood-tide care must be taken not to 
drift on to Crow Island Ledges, which extend off one mile 
SW. from the land. When you get White Head on this 
bearing, haul up directly to NE. J E., and run on this course 
about 4 or 5 miles, when you will gradually haul up to N. by 
E. \ E., and keep that course until Owl's Head opens North 
of Munroe Island, when you can haul up toward it, or shape 
the course for your destination. I give this direction to work 
on at night, as I do not advise the Muscle Ridge only by day- 
light. 

Tennant's Harbor Light bears from the Northern triangles 
NW. by W. i W., distance 6f miles. These triangles bear 
from White Head Light SE. f S., distance 4} miles. 

To enter the bay through Two Bush Channel at daylight, 
when you are to Metinic Island Ledge, steer E.NE. 

This ledge bears W. by N. from the North end of Metinic 
Island, distance nearly 2 miles, and has on it an H. S. spar 



YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 63 

buoy placed on the SW. part of the Ledge. Give it a berth of 
J a mile if you go to the Eastward of it. Least water 7 feet. 

You can run in for the bay from SE. of Metinic Island 
by bringing White Head Light to bear North, and run for it 
until to the South Breaker, which bears South from White 
Head Light, distance f of a mile. 

On this course you will pass between the shoal ground off 
the East side of Metinic Island and the Southern Triangles, 
which are sometimes Bare and always Break. You will not 
find less than 4 fathoms of water off the East side of Metinic 
Island ; the shallowest spot is about f of a mile from the shore 
opposite the middle of the island. 

The West part of the Southern triangles bears from White 
Head Light S. f E., distance 5J miles. 

To Enter the Penobscot Bay from one-half to three-fourths of 
a mile South of Monhegan Island Light. — From this position 
steer E. by N., and it will take you to the North end of Mati- 
nicus Island. This island lies North of Matinicus Rock 
Light, distance about 5 miles. On this course you will pass 
about 2 miles North of Bantam Ledge buoy spar (H. S.). It 
bears from Matinicus Light NW. J N., distance 5 miles. 
You can pass either side of this buoy, distance 200 feet. 
When you are about 1J or 2 miles distant from Matinicus 
Island, steer N. J W. into the bay, and when Owl's Head 
Light opens North of Munroe Island, or it bears N.NW. J W., 
you can run for it open on your port. 

To Enter Penobscot Bay from the Eastward. — You will bring 
Saddleback Ledge Lights to bear within the bearings of NW. 
f W. to N. J E., and run for it until it is distant 1J miles, 
when you will steer W. by N. J N. until Heron Neck Light 
bears E.NE., then steer NW. by N. \ N. for Owl's Head Light. 

On this run as here given from off Saddleback Light, to the 
Bay, you will pass the Bay Ledge buoy (a red can) on your 
port hand at some distance; you can sail around this buoy 
by giving it a berth of one-half a mile. 



64 YACHTMAN AND COASTERS REFERENCE BOOK. 

Saddleback Ledge Light is about 17 miles E. J S. from 
White Head Light. 

PENOBSCOT BAY FROM WHITE HEAD LIGHT TO BELFAST 

AND CASTINE; INCLUDING THE HARBORS OF 

ROCKLAND, ROCKPORT, CAMDEN AND 

FOX ISLAND THOROUGHFARE. 

Sailing Directions for Muscle Ridge Channel. — From North 
of Monhegau Island, distance 2 miles, steer NE ; by E., or 
for White Head Light on the bearing of NE. J E., and as 
you draw near to it, keep it pretty close aboard on your port 
hand, that you may pass inside or North of the South Break- 
ers, which has on it a red buoy and a bell buoy. Keep on 
this NE. by E. course, passing first a red spindle that is on 
Yellow Ledge, it bears from the Light East, distance over f- of 
a mile; leave this on your starboard hand, and the next 
buoy is a black one that is on Hay Island Ledge, distance 
from the Light little less than J a mile. You will then make 
a horizontal striped buoy on Inner Gangway Ledge, which 
you will leave on your port hand. (But you can pass it on 
either hand.) 

From this buoy, or little East of it, steer NE. J E. for 3f 
miles, passing the following marks in the order given: 

First on your starboard hand is an H. S. buoy on Hurri- 
cane Ledge, distance from the Gangway buoy $ of a mile; 
next is a black buoy on Sunken Ledge, which you leave on 
your port hand, distance from the last buoy f of a mile ; 
then a spindle on Garden Island Ledge, which you leave on 
your port, and about one mile above this you will pass on the 
same hand a spindle on Otter Ledge. 

Above this spindle I of a mile there is a black buoy on Ash 
Island Ledge, and about East of that is an H. S. buoy on Upper 
Gangway Ledge ; on the course given you should pass between 
the two. You can pass this H. S. buoy on your port if neces- 
sary, and you will have on your starboard a red buoy that is 
on Inner Grindstone Ledge. The next mark is the beacon on 
the East side of Ash Island ; when this bears West from J to ^ 



YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 65 

of a mile distant, to go into Owl's Head Bay, steer N.NE. J E. 
toward a red buoy on Sheep Island Bar, distance from the 
beacon If miles. 

On this run you will pass on your starboard hand an H. S. 
buoy that is on NW. Ledge; it is distant from the beacon 
just one mile. After passing Sheep Island buoy on your 
starboard hand, steer NE. J N., passing on your port a spindle 
that is on Dodge's Point, continuing the course out of the 
Bay; and if bound up the West side toward Belfast, steer 
N.NE. J E., distance 12 miles, when Grindel Point Light will 
bear E.SE. You will then keep up the Bay about N.NE. or 
N. by E., keeping nearer to the West shore. When Belfast 
Bay opens, haul gradually into it, passing Steel's Ledge on 
your starboard hand, then keep about in the middle of the 
passage to the town. Steel's Ledge has a beacon also a 
buoy on each end. It is about six miles from Grindel Point 
Light to Belfast Bay. 

We will end our directions here, and return to Owl's Head 
Light. Then if you are bound up the Bay by the East pas- 
sage to Castine, you will steer from near the Light E.NE. 
for five miles, to clear Mcintosh Ledge, then keep NE., which 
will take you to Upper Mark Island, distance from Owl's 
Head 13 £ miles ; you will pass this Island on your starboard 
hand, then steer NE. by N. 4 N. for Dice's Head Light, dis- 
tance 74 miles from Mark Island. 

Directions to Enter Castine Harbor. — Bring Dice's Head 
Light to bear N.NE., distance 4 a mile, then steer E. by N. 4 
N., passing on your port a black buoy on Otter Rock Shoal 
off Fort Point; then further in, a stone beacon on Hosmer's 
Ledge; you will leave this on your starboard hand. North- 
east of this beacon, distance 4 a mile, is a red buoy on the 
NW. end of the Middle Ground; pass this on your starboard 
hand if you wish to go above the town. 

You will find good anchorage in Lawrence Bay, which you 
can enter by getting the middle of the town at the docks to 



6Q YAOHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 

bear NW., and steer SE., working around to South as you 
enter the Bay. You will have from 3 to 4 fathoms of water. 

The water outside of this Bay is quite deep all around 
Castine. 

From Muscle Midge Channel out through Fisherman's Island 
Channel. — When the beacon on Ash Island bears West, dis- 
tance J to J of- a mile, steer E.NE., passing on your starboard 
hand a red buoy on Grindstone Ledge, and on your port a 
black buoy on Sheep Island Shoals ; continue the course 
about 2| miles, or until Owl's Head Light opens North of 
Munroe Island, or it bears N.NW. \ W., when you can keep 
for the Light if bound up the West side, and if bound up the 
East side of the bay, a NE. course will take you to Upper 
Mark Island. 

There is another passage out of the Muscle Ridge Channel, 
which is, to haul around close to the North side of Otter 
Island, and steer E. \ S. if it is flood-tide, but on the ebb, 
steer E. \ N. The tide runs very strong through these chan- 
nels, and a careful attention must be paid to the direction it 
runs. 

Muscle Midge Channel Buoys that can be passed on either 
hand. — First — the Lower Gangway Ledge H. S. buoy. This 
buoy is placed on ,the West side of the ledge, which is quite 
small. Second — Hurricane Island Ledge is a red buoy placed 
on the West side of the ledge ; you can pass it on the port 
hand if necessary, but do not get more than £ of a mile East 
of it. West of it you can stand close in to the land ; if pos- 
sible, keep this side of it. Third — Garden Island spindle. 
This ledge is about J of a mile long, North and South. Do 
not get within f of a mile of this spindle NE. of it, as there 
is a shoal spot with 12 feet of water on it near that position. 
Fourth — Otter Island Ledge spindle, with plenty of water 
either side of it. Fifth — Upper Gangway Ledge H. S. buoy ; 
both sides of this there are red and black buoys to mark the 
passage. Sixth — The NW. Ledge H. S. buoy. If bound 



YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 67 

through Owl's Head Bay, pass this buoy on your starboard 

hand. 

SEAL HARBOR. 

To enter Seal Harbor, which is only J a mile North of 
White Head Light, when up to Hay Island Ledge black buoy, 
haul around it on your port hand, and steer N.NW. until to 
a red buoy on your starboard, and a black buoy on your port 
hand, where you will have good anchorage. To enter from 
the Northward, give Burnt Island Ledge black buoy a good 
berth in rounding it. 

ROCKLAND HARBOR. 

From North of Owl's Head Light J a mile, steer W. by N. 
and you will pass on your port hand a black buoy on Spear's 
Bock, then a red buoy on your starboard hand that is on the 
South end of South Ledge ; when West of this buoy run for 
any part of the town if the tide is up. 

If from the Northward, haul around South of the red buoy 
off Jameson's Point, and steer W.SW., passing on your star- 
board hand an H. S. buoy on Jameson's Ledge, and on your 
port a black buoy that is on the North end of North Ledge. 

Mean rise and fall of the tide in this harbor 9 ft. 6 in. 

ROCKPORT HARBOR. 

From Owl's Head Light bearing South i a mile, steer North 
4 miles, and after passing North of Rockland Harbor, you 
will first pass a black buoy on your port hand that is on Bam 
Island Point ; then one mile above this, a beacon on Porter- 
field Ledge, which you will leave on your starboard hand. 

You can sail all around this beacon to the spindle on 
Lowel Rock, which is South of Indian Island Light. 

When this Light bears East £ of a mile distant, steer N. £ 
E., passing two red spindles on your starboard hand, and a 
stone beacon on your port ; then keep midway of the shores. 

Porterfield Ledge, or outer-Rockport beacon, bears from 
Indian Island Light S. by W % £ W., distance f of a mile. 



68 YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 

CAMDEN HARBOR. 

From J of a mile East of Owl's Head Light steer N, by E., 
or for Negro Island Light on that bearing, and you will pass 
Indian Island Light, distance § of a mile, on your port, and 
J of a mile above that, you will pass the Graves on your star- 
board hand, distance J a mile. As you approach Negro 
Island Light keep it open on your port, passing it on that 
hand, and a red buoy on your starboard, which lies i of a 
mile NE. J E. from the Light; you will then steer N.NW. 
into the harbor. You can enter this harbor from the North- 
ward by hauling around close to the spindle onNE. or Morse's 
Point, leaving the black buoy and the spindle on Outer and 
Inner Ledges on your port hand. This passage is narrow, 
but you will have 3 J fathoms of water by keeping near to the 
Point. 

There is a beacon on the Graves, and it bears from Negro 
Island Light S. by E. £ E., distance li miles, and from Indian 
Island Light NE. by E. J E., distance 1J miles. Mean rise 
and fall of tides, 9 ft. 8 in. 

SAILING DIRECTIONS FOR FOX ISLAND THOROUGHFARE. 

Brown's Head Light is on the South side of the entrance 
to the Thoroughfare, and bears from Owl's Head Light E. i 
S., distance 6 miles. 

To enter the Thoroughfare, bring Brown's Head Light to 
bear E. by N. i N., and run for it on that bearing, keeping it on 
your port bow until you are East of Drunkard's Ledge spindle, 
and Fiddler's Ledge beacon, both of which you pass on your 
port hand. You will pass Dogfish spindle on your starboard 
hand. It bears from Fiddler's Ledge beacon SE. i S., dis- 
tance i a mile. 

Do not attempt to pass Dogfish spindle on your port hand 
when going in, as it is very rocky South of it. 

Drunkard's Ledge spindle bears from Fiddler's Ledge bea- 
con W. by N. J N., distance f of a mile. 



YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 69 

Fiddler's Ledge beacon bears from Brown's Head Light W. 
by S., distance 11 miles. 

Dogfish Ledge spindle bears from Brown's Head Light SW. 
by W., distance li miles; but note tliis : you must not 
approach the Light on that bearing when SW. of the spindle, 
on account of the Inner Bay ledges, the North end of which 
bears from the light SW. by W. | W., distance 2f miles. 

There is a red buoy on the North end of the ledge, and a 
red one on the South end, I of a mile apart, bearing S. by W. 
from each othe/. 

When you are in past these dangers, bound into Fox Island 
Thoroughfare, keep Brown's Head Light on your starboard 
hand, passing the Sugar Loaf Islands on your port, steering 
about NE., and you will first pass a spindle on Fox Ears ; 
second, an H. S. buoy on Calderwood Ledge; then a black 
buoy on Cross Island Ledge ; all of these on your port hand. 
You will then keep about midway of the land, and observe 
the character of the buoys as you make them, which I will 
name in the order as passed for a distance of five miles from 
the Cross Island Ledge buoy. 

First, an H. S. buoy on Post Office Ledge, distance If miles ; 
2d, a black buoy on Lobster Lodge, distance i of a mile from 
the last ; 3d, a black buoy on Grindstone Ledge, distance from 
the last black buoy I of a mile. You will pass all of these on 
your port hand, when you will be near a spindle on Iron Point 
Ledge ; pass this close at hand on your starboard, then steer 
NE. by E. i E., passing first an H. S. buoy on Waterman's 
Ledge, then a Black buoy on Fish Point Ledge, both on your 
port hand, and from near the last buoy steer E. by S. f S., 
passing a spindle on Goose Bocks on your port, and Widow's 
Island on your starboard hand. You Will see Channel Rock 
ahead on your starboard bow, but it is best to pass it on your 
port hand, on account of Black Ledge buoy, which bears about 
East of this rock. This ends the Thoroughfare and brings 
you into Isle Haut Bay, for which I am not prepared to give 
any direction. 



TO YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 

Southern Harbor is North of the entrance to Fox Island 
Thoroughfare, and to enter it observe the first directions given 
for this passage, until Brown's Head Light bears E. by N. i N. 
or Fiddler's Ledge beacon bears West i a mile, when you will 
steer NE. ^ N. for Amsbury Point, distance 2 miles, passing 
the Sugar Loaves on your starboard hand. You can pass 
Amsbury Point on your port and keep up into the harbor, or 
you will have good anchorage near to it on either hand. 

Directions for Entering Burnt Coat Harbor. — This harbor 
is on Swan Island ; it bears from Mt. Desert Rock Light 
NW. -J N., distance 17 miles, and from Matinicus Rock Light 
NE. | E., distance 27-J miles. This is a good place of refuge, 
and can accommodate a large number of vessels. There are 
two Lights on Swan Island, and to enter the harbor bring 
them in range, when they will bear NE. J N. ; then run for 
them in range until you are pretty close to them, when you 
will steer E. by N. into the harbor. 

When running in for the Lights in range, you will first pass 
Heron Island Ledge buoy on your port hand ; it is distant 3 
miles SW. i S. from the main Light. You will next leave 
Harbor Island on your starboard hand. The West point of 
this Island bears from the Light S.SW. J W., distance i a 
mile. You will also pass Harbor Island Ledge on your star- 
hoard hand. The passage between the Ledge and the Light 
is about i of a mile wide. There is a Wrought Iron spindle 
on this ledge which you only need give a berth of 100 feet. 

SAILING DIRECTIONS FOR MOUNT DESERT ISLAND 

HARBORS. 

After passing Matinicus Rock Light, if near to it, steer NE. 
by E. J E., keeping South of all the islands, and when Baker's 
Island Light bears NE. h N., distance 7 miles, Mt. Desert Rock 
Light will bear S. by E. |- E., distance 11 miles. You will then 
steer N. by E. until near Bunker's Ledge spindle (red) ; this 
spindle bears from Baker's Island Light W. JN., distance 3J 
miles. There is a black buoy off the Nubble, or Long Ledge, 
that bears from Bunker's Ledge buoy about West, distance i 
of a mile. 



YACHTMAN AND COASTER^ REFERENCE BOOK. 71 

.On this N. by E. course you will pass the Little and 
Great Duck Islands on your port hand. After you have 
passed between these buoys steer NE. f N., distance f of a 
mile, passing first a red buoy on your starboard, then a black 
one on your port, when you will steer N. by E., or for the 
East end of Greening's Island ; on this course there is a bar 
with II feet of water on it. If bound into Southwest Harbor, 
when it opens to view steer NW. by W. ; there is no obstruc- 
tion until near the head of the harbor. 

If you wish to go to Bar Harbor from here, when SW. 
Harbor opens and the NW. point of Great Cranberry Island 
bears SE. (Cranberry Island is the land on your starboard 
hand up this passage), then steer E. i S. until past Bunker's 
East Ledge, on which there is a beacon ; or you can keep for 
Bear Island Light until past the West end of Sutton's Island, 
when you will steer East, passing two red buoys on your port 
hand and North of Bunker's Ledge, and a black buoy on 
Lewes Rock that is just North of the ledge. After this it 
is only necessary to give the island a good berth. 

When running up the East side you will pass a little island, 
the Thrumbcap, that lies -J- of a mile from the shore, then the 
Round Porcupine, which you leave on your starboard hand ; 
give the land a little berth on your port hand as you haul 
around into Bar Harbor. Do not attempt to go in beyond 
the steamboat wharf, or you may find bottom if the tide is up, 
as the bar will be under water. 

This direction given for Southwest Harbor will do very well 
by daylight, but if you wish to enter in the night, when you 
make Baker's Island Light steer for it open on your port bow, 
and as you approach it give it a good berth, and when it bears 
West, distance i of a mile, steer N. -J W. nearly 2 miles, or 
until Bear Island Light bears N W. by W. % W., when you will 
keep it on that bearing and run for it, passing between Bunker's 
Ledge Beacon and Sutton's Island. You should on this course 
be about i of a mile South of the ledge, and £ of a mile from 
the island when you pass them. As you approach Bear Island 



72 YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 

Light keep working off to the Westward until you are heading 
W. by S., and when past the East end of Greening's Island a 
W. by N. course will take you into the harbor. There is a shoal 
extending off the SW. part of Greening's Island with a red 
buoy on it. 

If you are bound to Bar Harbor from Baker's Island, bear- 
ing West, i mile distant, steer about N.NE., and follow the 
island as before directed. 

The distance from Baker's Island Light to Bar Harbor is 10 
miles. On this run up the bay you will pass on your right a 
Light on Egg Rock; it bears NE. by N. J N., distance 8 
miles from Baker's Island, and from Bar Harbor SE. J S., 
distance 4 miles. 

To Enter Bass Harbor, run in on the first directions (t. e., 
N. by W.) until Bass Head Light bears NW., when you can 
run towards it, passing it about i of a mile distant on your 
starboard hand, where you will find the best water over the 
bar (from 14 to 1") feet). When to the Westward of the bar 
steer North into the harbor, passing on your port hand the 
black buoy on the East end of Weaver's Ledge 

Mt. Desert Rock Light bears from Baker's Island Light 
S. J W., distance 12 miles. 

Sailing Directions for St. John, N. B.,from li miles North 
of Mt. Desert Bock Light. — A NE. by E. | E. course will 
take you to Cape Lepreau Light, F. W. This Light bears 
NE. by E. from the North point of Grand Menan Island. The 
following are the principal Lights that will be passed on this 
course of 95 miles; and the distance they lie from the line of 
that course. By giving these distances, if you are running 
through here in the night you can easily determine if you need 
to haul to the North or South, as you approach the Lights. 

The first Light passed will be Petit Menan, F. V. W. F.; 
it will be 8 miles distant when bearing North. Second, Mis- 
take Island, or Moose A Bee Light, Fig. W., will be distant 



YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 73 

4 miles when North. South by West, distance 2 miles from 
this Light, there is an automatic whistling buoy. Third, 
Libby Island, F. W., about 4 miles distance when North. 
Then Machias Seal Islands, two Lights will be passed about 
7 miles distant when they bear South. The next is Little 
River Light, F. Y. W. F; ; you will pass South of, 2 J or 3 miles 
distant. Then West Quoddy Head, F. W., will be 3 miles 
distant when North. You will then pass Grand Menan Island 
South of you about 5 miles. Then comes the South Wolf 
Light, Fig. W., which you will pass South of about 2 miles. 
Then Cape Lepreau Light should be ahead ; keep it open on 
the port bow, and give it a little berth as you approach it. 

From off this Light, distant \ to f of a mile, steer E. by 
N., distance 17 miles, when Partridge Island Light will 
bear NW. by N. \ N. In steering this course (E. by N.), 
you should make Cape Spencer Rev. Light on your starboard 
bow. It bears from Cape Lepreau E. \ N., distance 26 miles. 
After getting Partridge Island Light on the above bearing, 
steer NE. \ N. up to a bell buoy that bears E. \ S. from the 
Light, distance -J of a mile. You will pass this buoy on your 
port hand, then steer about N. J W., keeping the Light on 
the point of Carlton Flats on your port, and continue on 
about the same course. 

A careful attention must be paid to the current, when 
coming into this Harbor, and have plenty of chain over- 
hauled, as the water is very deep only on the flats. 

Mean rise of the tide at St. John is about 23 feet. Time 
of high water, at full and change of moon, llh. 21m. 



DISTANCES, COURSES, AND BEARINGS, 



WITH 



SAILING DIRECTIONS, 



FROM 



NEW YORK SOUTHWARD 



TO THE 



DELAWARE AND CHESAPEAKE BATS. 



THE HUDSON EIYEE, 

WITH A FEW COURSES AND DISTANCES IN NAUTICAL 
MILES FROM GOVERNOR'S ISLAND. 



From Governor's Island to Hoboken, N. 2 E., distance 2f 
miles ; from this to Spuyten Devil Creek, N.NE. i E., dis- 
tance 9f miles ; from Spuyten Devil to Piermont Dock Light, 
course N. by E. i E., distance 10 miles ; from thence to 
Rockland Lake Landing the course is N. £ W., distance 6i 
miles ; from this to Haverstraw, NW. i N., distance 3f 
miles ; from Haverstraw to Stony Point Light, course N.NW., 
distance 2£ miles ; from this Light to Peekskill Dock the 
distance is | of a mile ; from Peekskill to West Point 
Light, distance 8 miles ; from West Point Light to Newburgh 
is 7 miles ; from Newburgh to New Hamburg, distance 5i 
miles ; New Hamburg to Poughkeepsie, distance 7 miles ; 
from Poughkeepsie to Hyde Park, distance 4J miles ; from 
this place to Esopus Light, distance 5 miles ; from Esopus to 
Rondout, distance 3f miles ; from Rondout Light to Sauger- 
ties Light, distance 9i miles ; from Saugerties to Catskill, 
distance 9£ miles ; from Catskill to Hudson City, distance 
3f miles ; from Hudson City to Four-mile Point Light, 3£ 
miles ; from this to Coxsackie Light, distance 4i miles ; 
from Coxsackie Light to Stuyvesant Light, distance 2 miles ; 
from Stuyvesant to New Baltimore Light, nearly 2J miles ; 
from New Baltimore to Cow Island Light, distance 4 miles ; 
from Cow Island to Albany, distance 7 miles ; from Albany 
to Troy, 7 miles ; making the distance to Albany by river 
119£ nautical miles. 

(77) 



78 YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 

ON THE SHORES OF NEW YORK BAY THERE ARE SIX 

LIGHTS TO SERVE AS CHANNEL RANGES, 

LOCATED AS FOLLOWS: 

The Elm Tree and New Dorp Beacon Range Lights are 
situated on Staten Island, about three miles SW. from Staten 
Island Light ; they serve as the Swash Channel Range. Their 
line of bearing is NW. i N. Sandy Hook Point Light bears 
from the Shore Light SE. by S. i S., distance 6f miles. 

The Seaside and Wilson Beacon Range Lights are for the 
ship channel from Gedney's Channel to West of SW. Spit. 
Their line of bearing is W. by S. The Shore or front Light 
bears from Sandy Hook Point Light W. f S., distance 5f 
miles ; the rear Light is f of a mile inland. 

The Conover Beacon and Chapel Hill Range Lights are 
for the ship channel from West of SW. Spit up past the 
West bank. The Shore Light of this range bears from the 
Hook Point Light SW. i S., distance 3f miles ; the rear Light 
is If miles inland. Their line of bearing is S. by W. £ W. 



COUKSES AND BEAKHsTGS 

FROM NEW YORK DOWN THE BAY. 



From off the Battery to Robbin's Reef Light the course is 
S.SW., distance 3 miles. From off Robbin's Reef Light steer 
S. by E., distance 4 miles, until Staten Island Light bears 
NW. by N. If miles. Then the course is S. by W. i W., 
down the ship channel for 74 miles. If at night, you will 
have the Chapel Hill Light in range with the Conover Beacon 
Light ; keep them in range until the Bayside and the Wilson 
Beacon Range Lights bear W. by S., then run on their range 
to sea, or E. by N., until Sandy Hook Point Light bears 
W.SW., then steer SE. i S., which is the course out on the 
Swash Channel Range ; or E. by S. £ S., out of Gedney's 
Channel. 

If you wish to go down the Swash Channel, steer as 
before given, S. by W. I W., until the Elm Tree Beacon 
Light, on the shore of Staten Island, comes in range with 
the New Dorp Beacon Light, on the Hill on Staten Island, 
when they will bear NW. i N., then steer down SE. £ E., 
keeping the high Light a little open North of the shore or 
low one. This carries you to sea, leaving the Stone Beacon 
on the port hand. 

At Fort Lafayette, on the East side of the entrance to the 
Narrows, there is a fog bell station, but no Light. The 
water is deep close in to the Fort. 

Directions for Entering New York Bay from the Eastward. 
— Pass about 4 miles North of Sandy Hook Light Ship, and 
6 (79) 



80 YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 

bring Sandy Hook Point Light to bear W. by S. J S., and 
run for it on that bearing until it is distant li miles, when 
you will be on the Swash Channel Range. You can then 
keep up this range as in other directions given, or you can 
pass in by the Hook on the Ship Channel Range Lights, 
steering W. by S. until the Conover and Chapel Hill Range 
Lights are in line, which will take you up ship channel, from 
West of Southwest Spit, to the Narrows. 

Sailing Directions for Raritan Bay, South Amboy, Perth 
Amboy, and Tottenville. — Prince's Bay Light is in range with 
the following marks, which bear from the Light E. by S. f S.: 
First, the Round Shoal black buoy, which is on the North 
side of the Shoal, and is to be passed on the port hand when 
going in through this channel ; it is distant from the Light 
f of a mile. Second, SW. Spit buoy, distance 8£ miles. 
Third, Sandy Hook Point Light, and the P. S. entrance buoy 
to the South channel, distance from the Hook 2f miles. 

When a little inside of the Hook, steer W. by N. f N. for 
Prince's Bay Light, and as you approach it, keep it open on 
your port bow, and bring it to bear W. by N., distance £ of 
a mile, when you will steer SW. f S. through the channel 
for 15 miles, or until the North one of the two entrance 
buoys bears NW. by W., when, if bound to Perth Amboy or 
Tottenville, steer for this buoy, passing it on your starboard 
hand, then work to the Northward, toward Ward's Point, as 
you enter the river. If bound to South Amboy, when below 
these buoys keep to the South of the South buoy, and after 
passing it, steer for the end of the docks at South Amboy. 

If from New York, and bound to these places with a free 
wind, pass close around the black buoy that is just South of 
Staten Island Light, leaving it on your starboard hand, then 
steer SW. f S., 6| miles, passing South of the red buoy on 
Old Orchard Shoal, and when Prince's Bay Light bears W. 
by N. 1 N., you can, follow the first direction given, or change 
your course to W. I S., and you will pass North of the black 






YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 81 

buoy that is off Conaskonk Point ; from this buoy to the 
buoys off the entrance of the rivers, the course is W. by N. 

You can run for Prince's Bay Light on the bearing of W. \ 
N., and it will take you South of Old Orchard Shoal, and 
close by Seguine Point, which is very bold. Conaskonk 
Point buoy bears from Prince's Bay Light SE. f S., distance 
2$ miles. If bound up Raritan Bay from New York, and the 
wind SW., I should advise working down the ship channel 
until below all the West Bank buoys. 

NEW YORK YACHT-CLUB COURSE. 

For the benefit of my yachting friends I will write out the 
relative bearings and distances of the principal objects passed 
on the Race Course of the New York and Brooklyn Yacht 
Clubs. Starting from f of a mile West of Ft. LaFayette or 
the middle of the Narrows. There are times, when sailing 
down the bay, that it is difficult, if not impossible, to see 
from one buoy to another. By observing the bearings and 
distances I here give, you can govern yourself by them, and 
not be obliged to get out the chart and rule when time is 
precious. I will try and make this as plain as possible, so 
that he who sails may read and understand. 

From Ft. LaFayette, bearing East f of a mile, to the black 
buoy No. 13, off the Lower Quarantine buildings, the course 
is S. i W., distance nearly 2§ miles ; from No. 13 to No. 
11 (black), S. \ W., distance f of a mile ; from No. 11 to 
No. 9, course S. by W. \ W., distance -J of a mile ; from No. 
9 to No. 7 (black) the course is S. by W. \ W., distance 2 
miles ; Southwest Spit buoy, or No. 8 J, bears from No. 7 S. by 
E. \ E., distance If miles. Buoys Nos. 9, 11, and 13, are the 
West Bank buoys. 

We will start again from the same point. From f of a mile 
West of Ft. LaFayette to buoy No. 16 (red), the course is 
S. by E. | E., distance 2f miles ; this buoy (No. 16) bears 
from the West end of Coney Island §W. by S. i S., distance 
f of a mile ; No. 14 (red) bears from No. 16 SW. by S. ? S., 



82 YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 

distance If miles ; from No. 14 to the horizontal striped 
buoy (red and black) the course is S.SW., distance nearly 
1J miles. This H. S. buoy is at the point of intersection of 
the Ship and Swash channels ; No. 12 (red) bears from it 
S. |W., distance £ of a mile ; SW. Spit (No. 8 J) is about 
on the same bearing, distance from No. 12, If miles ; buoy 
No. 10 bears from the horizontal striped buoy S. by W., 
distance 2^ miles ; and the SW. Spit buoy bears from No. 10 
SE. by E. J E., distance f of a mile ; Southwest Spit buoy 
bears from the West end of Coney Island S. by W. f W., 
distance 6 miles ; No. 8 (red) bears from No. 11 (black) 
S. | E., distance If miles ; Southwest Spit buoy bears from 
No. 8 S. by E. £ E., distance 2f miles ; from the Romer 
beacon it bears SW. f S., distance 2£ miles. It should be 
observed that from South of buoy No. 8 to the SW. Spit, the 
ebb tide runs from SE. to E. by S. ; flood about opposite ; 
therefore a careful attention must be paid to the current 
when on this line. The course from SW. Spit buoy to a little 
North of the Sandy Hook Point buoy is S. by E., distance If 
miles. The Gedney's Channel entrance buoy (P. S.) bears 
from SW. Spit E. £ S., distance 4-f miles ; and from Sandy 
Hook buoy it bears E. £ N., distance 3£ miles. Sandy Hook 
Light Ship bears from the Hook buoy E.SE., distance 6§ 
miles. 

The South Channel P. S. buoy is on the same bearing from 
the Hook buoy, distance 2£ miles ; Sandy Hook Light Ship 
bears from the Romer Beacon SE. f E., distance 7| miles. 
This bearing is directly over the shoalest part of the Romer 
shoal. 

When running in for the Swash Channel from the Hook 
Light Ship, it will not do to make your course anything 
North of NW. by W. 

The Scotland Light Ship bears from the Hook buoy SE., 
distance 3 miles ; and from Romer beacon SE. by S. \ S., 
distance 5-J miles. 



YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 83 

Sandy Hook Light Shiv bears from the Scotland E. £ S., 
distance 35 miles. 

There is an automatic signal buoy placed -J of a mile E. by 
S. from Gedney's Channel entrance buoy. 

BEARINGS AND DISTANCES FROM NEW YORK TO SANDY 
HOOK, AND FROM THENCE EAST AND SOUTH. 

Staten Island Light bears from West of the Battery S. by 
W., distance 6 miles. Sandy Hook Point Light bears from 
Staten Island Light S. | E., distance 7f miles, and the High- 
lands of Neversink two Lights bear S. £ E., distance 12 J 
miles. 

On iSandy Hook there are three fixed Lights, the first 
called Sandy Hook Light, which is on the SW. side of the 
entrance to the bay ; 2d, the East beacon, or Sandy Hook 
Point ; 3d, the West beacon, on the Bay side of the Hook, 
NW. from the main light. Sandy Hook Light Ship bears 
from Sandy Hook Point Light E. by S. f S., distance nearly 
7 miles, and from the Highland Lights she bears E.NE., dis- 
tance 6£ miles. This Light Ship shows two red Lights. 
The P. S. entrance buoy to the Gedney's Channel bears from 
her NW. £ W., distance 3f miles. The entrance buoy (P. S.) 
to the South Channel bears from this Light Ship W.NW., 
distance 4 miles ; and Romer beacon bears NW. f W., dis- 
tance 7f miles. The Scotland Light Ship shows two white 
Lights. She bears from Sandy Hook Light Ship E. £ S., 
distance 3f miles, and from the Sandy Hook Point Light 
SE. J E., distance 3f miles. 

The Scotland Light Ship bears from the Highland Lights 
NE. £ N., distance 3f miles; the entrance buoy to the South 
Channel bears from her N. | W., distance 1£ miles. From 
the position of this Light Ship the Elm Tree Beacon, or the 
low Light on Staten Island, for the Swash Channel range, 
will be open to the right of the high, or rear Light. The 
directions for running in on this range is to keep the low Light 
a little open to the left of the high one. 



84 YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 

BEARINGS AND DISTANCES FROM SANDY HOOK LIGHT 

SHIP. 

Fire Island Light bears E. by N., distance 31 miles. Shin- 
necook Light bears E. by N., distance 66 miles. Montauk 
Point Light bears from Shinnecock Light E. by N. f N., dis- 
tance 32 miles. Nantucket South Shoal Light Ship bears 
from Sandy Hook Light Ship East, distance 180 miles. 

FIRE ISLAND INLET. 

There is an automatic whistling buoy 6 miles South of Fire 
Island Light. The outer or entrance buoy, P. S., bears from 
it N. by W., distance about 5 miles. This is a first-class 
nun buoy in summer, and a first-class spar in winter. From 
this buoy steer North to the inner bar buoy, P. S. (nun), and 
from thence N. by W. i W. to the first spar buoy (P. S.), 
and from this to the second spar buoy (P. S.) steer N. by W. 
\ W. The next buoy is red ; it bears from the last P. S. buoy 
NE. by E. You will leave this on your starboard hand, then 
steer E. by S. J S., toward the fourth spar buoy, which is black ; 
leave this on your port hand, and steer East along shore, and 
you have good anchorage. These directions are according to 
the latest reports. 

The buoys are changed to correspond with the changes of 
the channel. 

Sailing Directions for Little LJgg Harbor, according to 
Location of the Buoys, January 1, 1878. — There are con- 
stant changes in the channels of all the coast inlets, but the 
buoys will be changed accordingly, and at all times when in 
their proper positions will bear the same relation to one 
another and the channel, i. e., marking mid channel, and so 
placed that the run must be from one buoy to the other, until 
to or into the harbor. 

Bring Tucker's Beach Light to bear N. by E., and run for 
it until to the outer buoy, a P. S. can; from this, steer N. by 
W. J W. for the second P. S. can buoy; then steer N. by 
W. for the third P. S. can buoy (between the second and 
third buoys there is only 7 feet of water at low tide) ; from 



YACHTMAN AND COASTERS REFERENCE BOOK. 85 

the third, steer N. by E. for the fourth P. S. can or wooden 
tub, then steer N.NW. for the fifth buoy, P. S. a wooden 
tub ; from this, the course is N. by W. for the sixth P. S. 
can buoy, then N. § E. for the seventh, a P. S. can buoy, 
and from the seventh steer N. by E. until abreast of the 
eighth buoy, which is an H. S. spar buoy on the lower end of 
the Middle Ground. There is good anchorage on either side 
of this Middle Ground, which is about 200 yards wide in the 
center of it. 

ABSECOM INLET. 

At this time, January 1, 1878, Absecom Inlet is easy of 
access for vessels not drawing more than 9 feet of water. 
Bring Absecom Light to bear W.NW., and run for it until 
to the outer buoy, a P. S. can, then from that, steer NW. 
by N. for the second P. S. buoy (can). Between the first 
and second buoys the depth of water at low tide is 10 feet. 
From the second steer NW. for the third P. S. buoy (nun), 
'then steer N. by W. for the fourth, a P. S. nun, and from 
it run in for the anchorage, with no obstructions in the 
channel. 

GREAT EGG HARBOR INLET. 

The outer buoy, a P. S. can, bears from Absecom Light 
SW., and it lies something more than two miles from the 
entrance to the Inlet. From this entrance buoy steer W. 
NW. for the second P. S. can buoy. (Between the second 
and outer buoys there is 7 feet of water at low tide.) From 
this buoy steer NW. by W. for the third P. S. nun, then 
steer NW. by N. for the fourth, a P. S. nun, and from that 
haul to W.SW. for the fifth buoy, a P. S. spar, then steer 
NW. by W. for sixth buoy, a P. S. spar, then steer from 
that NW. by N. for the seventh, a P. S. spar, and from this 
buoy steer NW. for a good anchorage. 

The buoys of this Inlet are about J of a mile apart. 

NEW JERSEY BEACH TO DELAWARE BAY. 

Barnegat Light bears from Sandy Hook Light Ship S.SW., 
distance 42 miles. From Fire Island Light it bears SW., 



86 YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 

distance 65 miles, and from Shinnecock Light SW. f W., 
distance 97 miles ; from Montauk Point Light it bears SW. 
by W. i W., distance 128 miles. Tucker's Island, or Little 
Egg Harbor Light, bears from Barnegat SW. by S., distance 
17 J miles. Absecom Light bears from Barnegat SW. f S., 
distance 28 miles. 

Five Fathom Bank Light Ship bears from Barnegat SW. 
by S. i S., distance 59 miles, and from Absecom Light it 
bears S.SW., distance 31^ miles. Cape May Light bears 
from Five Fathom Light Ship W. by N. f N., distance 17f 
miles, and Cape Henlopen Light bears from it W. f S., dis- 
tance 23J miles. 

The shoal part of Five Fathom Bank bears from the 
Light Ship NW. i N., distance 2 J miles. It has a black can 
buoy on it. Montauk Point Light bears from this Light 
Ship NE. J E., distance 184 miles. 

Hereford Light bears from the Five Fathom Light Ship 
NW. £ N., distance 12 J miles. 

COURSES TO THE DELAWARE CAPES. 

From the Highland Lights bearing West, distance 2J 
miles, a S. by W. J W. course will take you off Barnegat, 
distant 3 miles, when it bears West; steer SW. by S. ^ S., 
distance 24 miles, when Absecom Light will bear W. f S., 
distance 7 miles ; then steer SW. f W. if bound for Del- 
aware Bay, and you should pass Hereford Inlet Light, dis- 
tance 1J miles. 

To enter the Delaware by the Cape May Channel. — When 
to Hereford Light keep about lj miles from the shore 
until you bring Cape May Light to bear NW. by W., then 
run for it until the West part of the town bears North, 
or to the South buoy on Old Eph Shoal, when you will grad- 
ually haul around toward the Point Buoy (red), (course 
about W. by N. \ N.,) until it bears W. by N. ; pass it close 
aboard. (This is the shoalest part of the Channel.) 



YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 87 

After passing the Point buoy, your course is NW. J N. to 
the Fair Way Buoy (a perpendicular striped buoy) ; con- 
tinue on this NW. j- N. course, and it will take you into 
Ship Channel, passing Mia Maul Shoal on your starboard 
hand. There is a large red can buoy on this shoal. 

You can enter the Ship Channel, if when about five miles 
above the Point buoy you steer NW. by W. J W. ; give 
Brandy wine a good berth, and enter the channel little above 
the Fourteen Foot Light Ship, 

Brandy wine Light bears from Cape May NW. by W. J W., 
distance 8 miles. 

Cape Henlopen Light bears from Cape May Light SW. by 
W., distance 10 miles. 

Directions for Delaware Breakwater Harbor. — Bring Cape 
Henlopen Light to bear W. by S., and run in for the point of 
the Cape. The shore is quite bold North of the Point Light. 
You can enter the harbor by the South end or through be- 
tween the two breakwaters, according to the wind. The best 
anchorage is close to the main work with the Breakwater Light 
bearing N. by W. The Shears buoy bears from the Break- 
water Light N. by E., distance nearly If miles. 

When running to or from the breakwater up the bay, keep 
the main Cape Henlopen Light and the Point Light in range, 
or East of their range, until the Breakwater Light bears SW. 
by S. i S., before hauling toward the breakwater. Those 
Lights in range will take you clear of the Shears, and the 
Brown Shoal a little East of them. 

Directions to Enter Delaware Bay from the Eastivard; Ship 
Channel. — If you are near the Five Fathom Bank Light Ship, 
steer about W. by S. and keep Cape Henlopen Light on that 
bearing until it is distant 3i miles. Cape May Light will 
then bear N. by E. i E. 

If you are well in to the Cape May shore — say two miles 



88 YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 

from the land little East of the town — you can steer SW. by 
W., and keep Cape Henlopen Light on that bearing until 
within 3i miles of it. (On this bearing you will be inside 
of McCrie's Shoal, which has on it a red can buoy. It will 
be necessary to be careful if the tide is flood , but if the 
Light is kept on that bearing you will go clear of all the 
shoals and not find less than 3J fathoms of water.) You 
will then steer N. by W. f W., distance 12 or 13 miles, to 
Brandywine Shoal Light. On this course you will pass to 
the Eastward of the Brown Shoal and West of Brandywine 
Light ; this Light bears from the buoy on the Brown N.NE., 
distance 3 J miles. 

The Brown bears from Cape Henlopen Main Light N. by 
E. i E., distance 9 miles. 

From Brandywine Light, i. e., little West of it, the course 
is N.NW. I W. to Cross Ledge Light, distance 12 miles. On 
this course you will pass East of the Fourteen Foot Light 
Ship and West of Cross Ledge Light. 

January, 1878, there is an H. S. Buoy on the wreck of the 
schooner Addie Walton, in mid-channel, near the upper end 
of Joe Flogger Shoal. 

The Fourteen Foot Light Ship bears from Brandywine Light 
NW. by W., distance 5i miles. 

From West of Cross Ledge Light (near to it) the course 
to Ship John Shoal Light is NW. by N., distance lOf miles. 
This Light you will leave on your starboard hand, then steer 
NW. f N. toward the Port Penn Range Lights, which you 
will bring in range and run for them until the Range 
Lights at Finn's Point are in line, when you will run for 
them in range until the Newcastle Range Lights are in line, 
which you will run for in range until the Deep Water Point 
Range Lights come in line, when you will run for them and 
give the shore or front Light a good berth on your starboard 
hand, when it will be best to work toward Wilmington Light, 
and keep the West side of the river best aboard until to 



YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 89 

Tinicum Island, little above Chester ; this you will pass on 
your port hand. I will end my directions here. 

The Port Penn Range Lights are located to the Westward 
of the Reedy Island Light, which is discontinued. These 
ranges take you but a little distance West of Baker's Shoal, 
which has a red buoy on it. 

The Finn's Point Range Lights are located on New Jersey 
shore East of the Pea Patch, and if you wish to go toward 
Delaware City or West of the Pea Patch, you should keep 
toward the West shore little before the Newcastle Range 
Lights are in line, in order to clear the shoal below the Pea 
Patch, with an H. S. buoy on it. 

The Newcastle Range Lights are on the Delaware side, If 
miles below Newcastle. This range, in connection with the 
Deep Water Point Range Lights, marks the channel from 
below Pea Patch, East of the Bulkhead Shoals. The point 
of intersection is on the West side of the channel, in about 
18 feet of water ; and vessels drawing that depth must be 
careful to change from one range to the other little before 
they come directly in line, which will keep you to the East- 
ward of the intersecting point, where there is ample room 
and a good channel. 

DISTANCES AKD BEARINGS FROM THE DELAWARE TO 
CHESAPEAKE BAY. 

Fenwick Island Light bears from Five Fathom Bank Light 
Ship SW. i W., distance 31 miles ; and from Cape Hen- 
lopen Light it bears S. i W., distance 20 miles. Winter 
Quarter Shoal Light Ship) bears from Five Fathom Bank Light 
Ship SW. by S. f S., distance b6i miles. 

From Winter Quarter Shoal Light Ship) Chincoteague 
Light bears W. by S., distance 13i miles ; and Hog Island 
Light bears from it SW. i W., distance 44i miles ; Smith's 
Island Light bears about SW., distance 62 miles; and Cape 
Henry Light bears SW. i S., distance 76 miles. 



90 YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 

Shoals between Cape Henlopen and Chincoteague. — The 
Hen and Chickens Shoal is near Cape Henlopen (least 
water on it, 5 feet). There is a black spar buoy on the outer 
end of it, and in the channel between the North end of it 
and the beach there is a P. S. (or channel buoy) which 
you will pass close aboard on either hand ; this P. S. buoy is 
nearly abreast of the beacon, or Point Light, on the Cape. 
This shoal is about two miles long, and the South end of it 
is about | of a mile from the shore, with a good passage 
West of the Shoal, by running pretty close along the beach. 

Fenwick Island Shoal bears from Fenwick Island Light from 
E. i S. to E. i N., distance 5i miles ; least water on it, 15 feet ; 
it is about 2 miles long. There is an H. S. Nun buoy near 
the edge of this shoal. The Isle of Wight Shoal bears from 
Fenwick Island Light SE. I E., distance 7i miles. There is 
a second-class Can buoy (H. S.) on this shoal. It lies S. i W., 
distance 4^ miles from Fenwick Shoal buoy. Least water on 
this shoal, 18 feet. Little Gull Bank Shoal bears from Fen- 
wick Island Light S. f W., distance from the Light 10£ 
miles, and from the shore li miles. The center of Great 
Gull Shoal bears from Little Gull S. by E., distance 2 J miles. 

Winter Quarter Shoal Can Buoy (H. S.) bears from Winter 
Quarter Light Ship NW. by W. J W., distance 2 miles. 
Least water on this Shoal, 12 feet. Black Fish Bank Shoal 
bears from Winter Quarter Light Ship SW. f W., distance 
9J miles to the middle of the shoal. The West edge of this 
shoal bears from Chincoteague Light from S.SE. to E. f S., 
distance 5 J miles. 

Sailing Directions from the Delaware to Chesapeake Bay. — 
At this date, Jan. 1, 1878, there is a Green Can buoy on the 
wreck of the bark Cienfuegos, which, according to the bear- 
ings given in the Buoy List, is dictant from Cape Henlopen 
Light about 2 miles ; and little outside of Hen and Chickens 
Shoal. 

From near this buoy, or about 2 miles distance from Cape 
Henlopen Point, a South, little Easterly, course will take you 



YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 91 

clear of all these shoals mentioned before. You will pass West 
of Fenwick Island shoal and Isle of Wight Shoal, and East of 
the Gull Shoals on this course. You should pass Fenwick 
Island Light about 2 miles distance ; and if so, continue the 
same course until Winter Quarter Shoal Light Ship bears 
SW. by W. ; you can then run for, and pass, the Light Ship 
as you choose ; and from her, a S. | W. course will take you 
to the Chesapeake, passing Hog Island Light at a distance 
of 5 miles, and Smith's Island about 3 J miles distance. 

If you would feel safe in regard to the shoals North of 
Chincoteague, you must observe carefully the bearings and 
distances given ; or do not get into less than 14 fathoms of 
water. 

Sailing Directions for Chesapeake Bay Ship Channel. — 
Bring Cape Henry Light to bear SW. by W., and run for it 
until it is distant 3 J miles, when Smith Island Light will 
bear N. by E.-; you will then steer NW. i W. about 12 miles, 
when" Thimble Shoal Light will bear SW. by W., distance 
5 J miles, and Back River Light will bear W. by N. JN., 
distance 5 J miles. The course from this to Smith's Point 
Light is North, distance 49 miles. 

To enter Chesapeake Bay by the North Channel. — Bring 
Smith's Island Light to bear North, distance from 2J to 
3 miles, and steer W. \ S. (or make that course), keep- 
ing the breakers on your starboard hand about f to 1 mile 
distant, and you will pass about midway of the Isaacs and 
Nautilus Shoal. You can continue on this W. J S. course, 
and pass over the Middle Ground in 16 to 18 feet of water ; 
or when 3 miles West of the Isaacs, you can steer NW. by 
W., and go between the Middle Ground Shoals; or when 
three-fourths of a mile past the Isaacs, you can steer N. by 
W. \ W., passing about three-eighths of a mile West of Fish- 
erman's Island ; when you have run about 5 miles on this 
course, steer NW. and proceed up the Bay. This last direc- 
tion will take you East of the Inner Middle Ground, and it 
is not very safe for a stranger. 



92 YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 

DIRECTIONS FOR HAMPTON ROADS AND NORFOLK. 

When Cape Henry Light bears SW. by W., distance 1\ 
miles, steer W. by N. \ N. for the Thimble Shoal Light, which 
is a hexagonal screw-pile Lighthouse in 11 feet water at low 
tide, located on the shoalest point of the Thimble, and dis- 
tant 3 i miles from Old Point Comfort Light. The iron 
foundation of the Lighthouse is painted brown, and the 
superstructure drab. To the Southward of the Light the 
water deepens rapidly to 8 and 9 fathoms ; there is a 10 foot 
lump about 700 yards to the Westward. The Lighthouse 
to be left on the starboard hand going into Hampton Roads. 

The Thimble Shoal Light is 16| miles from Cape Henry ; 
bearing from it NW. by W. % W. when opposite this Light 
or when it bears North, the course is W. by S. f S. into the 
Roads. 

If bound to Norfolk, after passing Fort Monroe docks, 
steer SW. by S. i S., distance 4 miles, to a red can buoy, 
which you pass on the starboard hand ; the course from this 
to Craney Island Light is South 4f- miles, then steer toward 
Lambert Point Light, which you pass on the port hand ; 
steer then about for the Light on Naval Hospital wharf, 
keeping near to Fort Norfolk. Good anchorage about West 
of the Naval Hospital dock. 

Lambert Point Light is a square screw-pile Lighthouse 
in 6 feet of water on the shoal making off from Lambert's 
Point. The iron foundation is red, the superstructure white. 
Boats drawing more than 5 feet of water should not pass to 
Eastward of the Lighthouse. There is a pile of stone bal- 
last 50 yards in a Southerly direction from the Light, which 
is nearly bare at low water. 

CHESAPEAKE BAY AND BALTIMORE. 

When bound up the Chesapeake Bay, from six miles E.SE. 
of Back River Light, the course to Smith's Point Light is 
North, and the following Lights will be passed in the order 
given. York Spit Light bears from Back River N. f E., dis- 



YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 93 

tance 7 J miles ; Toos Marsh Light on the East side of the 
Bay, bears from York Spit E. by N. -J- N., distance 11 miles. 
New Point Comfort Light bears from York Spit N. by W., 
distance 6 miles; the Wolf Trap Light bears from York 
Spit N. by E. i E., distance 11 miles. 

Stingray Point Light bears from Wolf Trap N. by W. f W., 
distance 11 miles. 

Windmill Point Light bears from Wolf Trap N. by W., 
distance 13 J miles. 

Smith's Point Light bears from Windmill Point Light N. 
I E., distance 18 miles. 

The next course from Smith's Point Light is N. by W. J 
W. for 51 miles, when Sharp's Island Light on the East side 
will bear SE. i E., distant a little over 6 miles. On this 
course you will pass Point Lookout Light, which bears from 
Smith's Point NW. by N. I N., distance 10J miles. 

Cove Point Light bears from Smith's Point N. by W.}W., 
distance 31 miles. 

From the above bearing of Sharp's Island Light, the course 
is N. by E. i E., until up to Sandy Point Light, distance 20 
miles. (Before you get to this Light, you pass Thomas Point 
Shoal Light, which is 7i miles below Sandy Point.) When 
up to Sandy Point, pass it distant one mile on port hand, then 
steer about North, for the Craighill channel Range Lights. 
These two Lights are designed as Leading or Range Lights 
for the Craighill channel; the one near Miller's Island is 
distant from North Point in a Northeasterly direction, about 
3-f nautical miles; the other 2i nautical miles, East by South 
from North Point. These two Lights are 2£ nautical miles 
apart, bearing due North and South from each other, and 
they are exactly in range with the axis of the Craighill chan- 
nel. The front (or low) Lighthouse is in 15 feet of water 
at mean low tide, and will show above the water as a cast- 
iron cylinder, surmounted by the keeper's dwelling and 



94 YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 

lantern. The focal plane is 30 feet above the level of the 
Bay at mean low water. The rear (or high) Lighthouse is 
an open frame pyramid of four sides, the lower portion being 
painted straw color, and the upper part black. The lens of 
the rear (or high) Light is a range lens, and will be seen 
only in the direction of the axis of the Craighill channel. 
They should both be distinctly visible below the South end 
of the channel in ordinary states of the atmosphere. When 
a vessel is on the true course going up or down stream, the 
two Lights will show one directly over the other, a slight 
change to either side producing a corresponding change in 
the relative position of the Lights. Keep up on this range 
until the Hawkins' Point and Leading Point Lights are in 
range. 

The Hawkins' Point Light is a hexagonal screw-pile struc- 
ture in 6 feet water, superstructure white, two Lights, one 
above the other. This Lighthouse, and the one on Leading 
Point, are 1^ miles apart on a line bearing W.NW. J W., 
and E.SE. \ E. from each other, both designed to serve as a 
range for the Brewerton channel. When a vessel is on the 
true course coming up or going down the Brewerton channel, 
the three (3) Lights — two (2) on structure near Hawkins' 
Point, and one (1) on structure on Leading Point — will be 
seen in line one above the other; but whenever this course 
is departed from, however slightly, to port or starboard, a 
corresponding change in the position of the Lights will be 
observed. Steer for these Lights until the Light on Fort 
Carroll bears NW. by N., then haul up to that course, pass- 
ing Fort Carroll on the starboard hand. When about one 
mile above the Fort, keep the Lazaretto Point Light open on 
the starboard bow, and pass it on the starboard hand, leaving 
Fort McHenry on the port. After passing this Fort, you will 
pass a black buoy on the port hand, then steer about NW. by 
N. and anchor above the coal docks. 

A DESCRIPTION OF SOME OF THE LIGHTHOUSES IK THE 

CHESAPEAKE BAY. 

York Spit is a screw-pile Lighthouse, placed in 12|- feet 
water at mean low tide ; iron piles painted red, and the super- 



YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 95 

structure yellow. Serves as a guide up and down the Bay. 
Vessels drawing over 24 feet of water should not approach this 
Lighthouse on the Eastern side nearer than one-half mile. 
Vessels drawing not over 18 feet water may approach the Light 
on the East side within a quarter of a mile, and on the South 
and Southwest within three-quarters of a mile, and vessels 
drawing not over 14 feet may pass over the shoal to the 
Northwestward of the Light within one-quarter of a mile. 
New Point Comfort Light (fixed white) bears N. by W., dis- 
tance 5i nautical miles, and Back Kiver Light (revolving 
white) bears S. by W., distance 7i nautical miles. 

The Wolf Trap is a screw-pile Lighthouse, placed in 121- 
feet water at mean low tide. The iron piles of the foundation 
are painted red, and the superstructure lead color. Stingaray 
Point Light (red) bears N. by W. f W., distant 10! miles. 
New Point Comfort Light (white) bears SW. \ S., distant 
6| miles ; guide up the Bay. 

Windmill Point Light is a screw-pile Lighthouse, in 12 
feet water at mean tide. Stingaray Point Light (fixed red) 
bears SW. by S., distant about 2 miles. Vessels drawing 18 
feet or more should not approach the Lighthouse on Eastern 
side nearer than 2 nautical miles ; vessels drawing less than 
18 feet may approach the Light on the North or South side 
within 1,000 yards with safety ; and vessels drawing 12 feet 
or less may approach it in safety to within 400 yards on the 
North, East, and South sides, but should not attempt to pass 
between it and the land at Windmill Point. A first-class 
buoy (No. 9), painted black, and properly numbered, marks 
the Eastern extremity of the Spit making out from Windmill 
Point. 

Smith's Point Light is a screw-pile structure in 12 feet of 
water at mean low tide, with from 4 to 6 fathoms on the 
shoal extending about one mile all around from NW. to SW. 
by the W'd. Vessels drawing from 12 to 14 feet of water 
may approach the Lighthouse safely within a distance of 250 
yards, but vessels of a heavier draught should give it a berth 

of one-third of a mile. 

7 



96 YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 

Point Lookout Light is on the North side of the entrance 
to Potomac River. 

Light on keeper's dwelling-house painted white ; roof of 
lantern red. 

Thomas Point Light is a screw-pile structure, white ; lan- 
tern red ; stands in 8 feet of water. 

Sandy Point Light, on keeper's red-brick dwelling ; shoals 
make out nearly a mile from this Light, and vessels drawing 
more than 10 feet of water should not approach nearer than 
that. 

Love Point Light bears E.NE. from Sandy Point Light, 
distance 5 miles ; it is on the East side of the bay, and serves 
as a guide to Chester Elver. Vessels drawing more than 9 
feet of water should not pass between the Light and the 
Point. 

Seven-Foot Knoll Light is an octagonal screw-pile struc- 
ture, between the Main and Swash channels ; it bears from 
Sandy Point North, distance 8 J miles ; and from Love Point 
NW. i N., distance 8 miles; and from the South Light of 
the Craighill channel about S. by W. \ W. 

Sailing Directions for the Potomac River. — From one mile 
North of Smith's Point Light steer NW. \ W., distance about 
21 miles, up to Piney Point Light, passing it on your star- 
board hand, and when it bears NE., distance one mile, steer 
NW. i N. about 4 miles, to clear Ragged Point, off which 
there is a black buoy ; pass it on your port hand, and when 
it bears South steer W. by N. \ N. for 10J miles, passing 
Blackston Island Light about f of a mile distant on your 
starboard hand. 

This course should take you up to the first channel, or P. 
S. buoy on the Kettle Bottoms ; pass this buoy close aboard 
on your starboard hand, then steer NW. by W. | W., dis- 
tance 3£ miles, passing two buoys on your starboard hand, 
and when past the second one, steer NW. i W., distance 3| 



YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 97 

miles, passing two buoys on your starboard, and the third one 
on your port ; this is the last of the Kettle Bottom buoys, and 
if in their places, you will find the best water by passing them 
in the order here given. When little above the last buoy 
named, steer NW. by W., distance 2£ miles, passing a can 
buoy close aboard ; from this buoy to Lower Cedar Point 
Light the course is N. by W. -J- W., distance 3£ miles; 
before you get to the Light you will pass a red buoy on Cedar 
Point Shoal ; pass this on your starboard hand, and the 
Lighthouse on your port. When to this Light, steer N. 
i W., until Mathias Point Light bears. NW. by W. ± W., 
when you will run for it open on your port, passing it on that 
hand, and when past it about J of a mile, keep the Fog 
Signal Station off Cedar Point open on your starboard bow, 
passing it on that hand ; course about W. by S. \ S., up 
toward the Maryland shore ; then follow up the red buoys 
until around Maryland Point. After getting well around 
the Point, or to Lower Thomas Point, the best water is nearer 
to the Maryland shore up to Sandy Point; from off this 
Point steer N. by E. about 8 miles, or until £ of a mile above 
the red buoy off Chicomuxen Creek, when you will steer 
NE. for Indian Head, distance nearly 6 miles ; you will 
pass a P. S. and a black buoy on this run. The shore is 
quite bold at Indian Head, and you will keep that shore until 
Craney Island, a fishing place, bears NW., when you can 
steer N. \ E., passing close by Hallowing Point on your 
port hand ; this course will take you to White Stone Point, 
when you will gradually work off to E.NE., passing the 
White House (a summer resort) about \ of a mile before 
you get on this course, which will take you to Fort Washing- 
ton on the Maryland shore, distance from the White House 
4f miles. From Fort Washington to Jones' Point Light the 
course first is N. \ E., distance 21 miles ; then North 1J 
miles, to the Light. On this run of 4J miles the channel is 
quite narrow, and the flats extend well off from the West 
shore, but if the buoys are watched, a stranger can find his 
way up to Alexandria by these directions, if he has any kind 
of a chart that will show the make of the river. 



98 YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 

I have not thought it necessary to give all the buoys in 
detail as passed, with these general directions, as the colors 
of the buoys are expected to speak for themselves. 

Distances and Bearings from Cape Henry to Cape Fear,N. C. 
— Currituck Beach Light bears from Cape Henry Light S. by 
E., distance 34 miles. 

Body's Island Light bears from Currituck Beach Light S. 
by E. | E., distance 34^ miles, and from Cape Henry Light 
it bears S. by E. J E., distance 70 miles. 

Cape Hatteras Light bears from Body's Island South, dis- 
tance 35 miles. 

Ocracoke Light bears SW. by W. \ W. from Hatteras 
Light, distance 23J miles. 

Cape Lookout Light bears from Cape Hatteras about SW. 
£ W., distance 63 miles. 

Frying Pan Shoal Light Ship bears from Cape Lookout 
SW. J W., distance 8T miles. 

The distance from Cape Hatteras to Montauk Point 
(straight line) is 400 miles. 

These bearings given have no reference to Sailing Direc- 
tions. 



NOTES. 

When vessels are close hauled, the one on the port tack is 
expected to give way to those on the starboard tack, unless 
by so doing she will risk collision with another vessel, or run 
ashore by giving w r ay. The side which the wind blows on, 
either starboard or port, is the tack that the vessel is on. 
This rule is too simple to be forgotten. 

I hope the steamers will adopt the custom of sounding the 
whistle to pass sailing vessels, when there can be a doubt in 
the mind of the vessel's captain which side the steamer 
desires to take, both day and night. 



YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 99 

TABLE 

Showing the Amount of One Day's Wages, from One Dollar per 

Month to One Hundred, allowing Ihirty Days for a Month, 

as the General Custom is with Seamen. 

Where the exact amount is not given, add the number 
wanted to get the desired sum, that is, from one to five 
dollars per month. 



Wages per Month. 


One Day. 


"Wages per Month. 


One Day. 


11.00 


$.03* 


$45.00 


$1.50 " 


2.00 


.06| 


50.00 


1.66| 


3.00 


.10 


55.00. 


1.83* 


4.00 


.13* 


60.00 


2.00 


5.00 


.16| 


65.00 


2.16| 


10.00 


.33* 


70.00 


2.33* 


15.00 


.50 


75.00 


2.50 


20.00 


.66| 


80.00 


2.66| 


25.00 


.83* 


85.00 


2.83* 


30.00 


1.00 


90.00 


3.00 


35.00 


1.16| 


95.00 


3.16| 


40.00 


1.33* 


100.00 


3.33* 



PICKLE FOR SAILS. 

The best preparation to prevent mildew in sails and awn- 
ings that I have yet found, is mixed, and used as follows : 
For a schooner's sails of 150 tons O. M., take about one peck 
of good lime, slack it with a little water, then add from 10 
to 20 pounds of pulverized alum, and not less than 4 bushels 
of salt. Mix in a hogshead if you can, fill it with fresh water, 
and keep the mixture well stirred when using it. Scrub both 
sides of the sails, then roll them up as snug as possible, and 
let them remain rolled and covered not less than 24 hours, 
but one week if possible, keeping the sun from them. I 
recommend fresh water, as I think it is the best. 

To do this work on a sand beach is a very hard task for all 
hands, and for the benefit of some, I will recommend Essex 
on the Connecticut river, as the best and most convenient 



100 YACHTMAN AND COASTER'S REFERENCE BOOK. 

place for this work that there is on the coast, as there is a 
dock, part of which is used for that purpose, always clean, 
and no lifting and boating sails required. 

For smaller sails, keep nearly the quantity of alum, and 
plenty of salt — in fact, use all that the water will dissolve. 
Alum that is not pulverized dissolves very slowly. 

TO YACHTMEN, COASTERS, AND SHIP CAPTAINS. 

At Seeley & Stevens', No. 32 Burling Slip, you will find 
the best Spar and Bright Work Composition that can be 
found for inside or outside use. 

At C. H. Pratt's, No. 34 Burling Slip, can be found the 
best quality of Hemp and Manila Rope at coil prices, for any 
length. Also a full assortment of Ship and Yacht Stores. 

At Fiske & Westen's, No. 36 Burling Slip, you will find 
Capt. Pepper's Signal Oil ; the best in the market. 

At T. S. & J. D. Negus', No. 140 Water street, a full sup- 
ply of Nautical Instruments, Books, Charts, &c, can be 
found ; also, the Yachtman and Coaster's Book of Reference. 



MEMORANDA. 



WAR DEPARTMENT, 

<|fu* ofl the 4fi4 $ignal <|)f «r, 

Washington, D. C, January 1, 1878. 



CIRCULAR. 



On and after January 1, 1878, an additional Cautionary Storm Signal 
will be displayed, as occasion may require, at all active Signal and Display 
stations of the Signal Service. The signal will be displayed at and on the 
regular place and staff, and will consist of a white flag with a square black 
centre, shown above a red flag with a square black centre by day, or a white 
light shown above a red light by night. This signal will be known as the 
" Cautionary Off-shore Signal," and will indicate, when shown, that 
while the storm disturbance is considered, at the office of the Chief Signal 
Officer, as not yet passed for the port or place at which the signal is dis- 
played, and the winds may yet be high, and there may be danger, the winds 
are expected to blow from a northern or western direction, or "off-shore," 
at or near the port or place where the signal may be. 

The display of this signal will often follow, and must be distinguished 
from, the display of the usual "Cautionary Signal," i. e., a square red flag 
with a square black centre by day, or a red light shown at night — which 
retains, whenever shown alone, its usual meaning. The display of either 
signal is always cautionary. 

The " Cautionary Signal," i. e., a red flag with black square in the 
centre by day, or a red light by night, calls for caution in view of an 
approaching storm, and is so "cautionary" with reference to winds 

BLOWING FROM ANY DIRECTION. 

The Cautionary Off-Shore Signal, i. e., a white flag with black 
square in the centre, shown above a red flag with black square in the cen- 
tre, by day, or a white light shown above a red light by night, is "cau- 
tionary" WITH REFERENCE TO WINDS EXPECTED TO BLOW FROM A 
NORTHERN OR WESTERN DIRECTION, OR OFF-SHORE AT OR NEAR THE 
PLACE AT WHICH IT MAY BE. 



(XtteMl/Vui 



Brig. Gen. (Bvt. Assg'd,) Chief Signal Officer, U. S. A. 



POST THIS UP IN A CONSPICUOUS PLACE. 



MEMORANDA. 





«- 



THE CAUTIONARY SIGNAL 

Cautionary against Approaching Storm, and against Winds 

from any direction. 






THE CAUTIONARY OFF-SHORE SIGNAL 

Cautionary against Rough Weather, and against Winds expected 

to be in a Northern or Western direction, or "Off-Shore." 

The order " Up Signals " retains its present meaning. 

The order "Hoist Off-shore Signal" requires that the " Off-shore Signal" 
be at once displayed, the "Cautionary Signal" being either lowered, and 
the two flags or two lights of the " Off-shore Signal" hoisted in its place, 
or the flag or light of the "Cautionary Signal" may be left displayed, 
while the additional proper flag or light needed to complete the "Off-shore 
Signal " is shown above it. 

"Signals Down" lowers any or all signals. 



MEMORANDA. 



